Christmas in NC

Erin tagged me for a Holiday Hoopla! The Random Christmas Hoopla! Here goes:

1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas

2. Please refer to it as a 'hoopla' and not the dreaded 'm'-word (which, for you bloggy newbies, is meme)

3. You have to specifically tag people when you're done. None of this "if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged" stuff is allowed...then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you -- but the more, the merrier to get this 'hoopla' circulating through the blogosphere.

4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I'd like to get as many people involved as possible.

___________________________________________________________
1. I love the fact that my wonderful husband is on board to help with the seasonal decorating. In fact, this year, he went and picked out the tree all by himself! :-) If it was up to him...he probably wouldn't take the time to get one since we travel so much for the holidays...but he does it because he knows that it is special to me.
2. I don't do theme trees. I like random ornaments that mean something. A "tradition" Shawn and I have started is that each time we go somewhere, we buy an ornament. I had so much fun this year pulling the ornaments out and saying "Remember when..."! I love it!!!

3. Unlike Erin (who tagged me) I like colored lights. Now not just any colored lights... I ONLY like the big bulbs that are opaque/not clear. And I like to put them very close to the trunk. Then we put the small clear lights closer to the edges. It gives it such a warm cozy feeling. Plus, that's how my family always did our tree when I was growing up...
4. I absolutely LOVE to give gifts. I am all the time seeing things and wanting to buy it for people... Christmas or not. So therefore I prefer to give than receive.

5. I love to drive around and look at Christmas lights. Actually, I like to ride while Shawn drives...especially on Christmas Eve. It's even better in the snow!

6. Speaking of snow... it just isn't quite the same without snow. I remember when I was a kid... snow wasn't a question. It seemed like there was ALWAYS snow for Christmas. "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I use to know..." *singing* I find it amusing that I can even say "back when I was a kid"

7. Must watch Christmas movies.... Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, A Christmas Story, Elf, The Nativity, Charlie Brown's Christmas

8. I look forward to having kids someday and sharing Christmas with them. Shawn and I have not yet decided what traditions we would like to start and what to do with the whole Santa thing... but it is a time I look forward too!

9. This is the nativity that was given to my by my Grandma Hess. I remember it from my childhood. The year 1984 is written on the side of the box with a note that says, "For Becca, someday". She finally gave it to me this past year. I guess she figured I am old enough to take care of it now. 10. Speaking of nativities... this is a tea light candle holder Shawn and I bought last Christmas. I think it is beautiful and will cherish it for years to come. Maybe someday I can write a note on it to give it to grand kid. :-)
11. Something my family always enjoys at Christmas is watching my mom's dog open presents. She just loves to tear the paper off. She is getting old and mom believes this may be her last Christmas, so mom bought her lots of stuff to unwrap this year.

12. Wow... I almost made it... one last thing... I saved the best for last. I am amazed by the true meaning behind Christmas. Watching the movie The Nativity really helped to make it even more real this year. You read about it in Luke 2. You hear people say nonchalantly "Jesus is the reason for the season"... but have they really dwelt on it. I enjoyed reading my friend Shelia's perspective on the night Jesus was born. I can't even wrap my mind around it completely. God's plan to save the world from their sins, was sent in the form of a helpless babe. For you...for me...

I am going to tag.... Michelle! She is just as bad as I am about blogging... Erin helped me out... now it is my turn to help her out!

The Votes Are In...

well... my people have spoke... ok... 4 of them :-)

I will try and get busy putting together some "Rewind" posts for your enjoyment!

Lyrics: Breath of Heaven

I have traveled many moonless nights,

Cold and weary with a babe inside,

And I wonder what I've done.

Holy father you have come,

And chosen me now to carry your son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer.

I am frightened by the load I bear.

In a world as cold as stone,

Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now.

Be with me now.

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together,

Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,

If a wiser one should have had my place,

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of your plan.

Help me be strong.

Help me be.

Help me.

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together,

Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together,

Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven.

Realizatoin

I recently came to a realization.

I am a splurt blogger.

I am not a regular blogger...like I expect everyone else to be. A day does not go by that I don't check all of my friends blogs to see their latest happenings. Then I become bummed when a few days pass and I have nothing new to read. I know a few of my close friends check my blog...because they always welcome me back between splurts. (Yes I am aware that this probably isn't a real word, but as some of you know, I tend to make up my own words-and I like it.)

Anyways, back to what I was saying. I have also come to realize that I have let a LOT of bloggable moments pass me by. I discovered this tragedy when I was uploading my memory card of pictures to my computer this morning. I found myself over and over again saying... "Oh Yeah! I remember taking that picture. I took it so I could post it on my blog!"

So now what do I do?!? Do I go back and postblog all of those fun times. Do I jeopardize blog history by never capturing those moments in cyberspace forever?!?

Humm....what to do...what to do...

such travesty

I would like to thank the academy...

I would like to thank the academy, as well as the Blakleys for their recent introduction to the newest Hatfield craze... Dance Dance. It was all made possible with their support and I would like to dedicate my first A- with the title of I Will Survive (remix)-to Justin and Erin.

Bring it on!!!

Don't Support Me

I finally saw the preview. I had been waiting for quite a while to see the preview. Its graphics look very life like and are pretty amazing... much like other movies of that type; Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Harry Potter, Pan's Labyrinth. I have been waiting to see the preview since the minute I heard about the author and the series this movie is based off of. http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/
Viewers of the movie (which is geared to a younger audience) may be intrigued by the movie to buy the series of books, "His Dark Materials". From the many articles I have read... that is the author's desire. To hook you. Several websites claim that this film has been watered down from the original book to make it more appropriate for the big screen but also as a tactic to draw you to buy the series. The thing they don't express in the trailer and in all the movie push right now is that the author is an atheist.
Check out these websites:
http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
http://www.the-tidings.com/2007/110907/compass.htm
One site above quoted the author (Pullam) in a 2003 interview saying "My books are about killing God."

I will be the first to admit that the preview makes the movie seem good. (I like those kind of movies...it amazes me how they make it all so real.)
Enjoy the movie if you choose, but you choose. I personally don't think I can support an atheist author who is trying to "kill God in the minds of children."

A Month?!?

I can hardly believe it has been a month since my last post. The sad part is that I obsessively check all my friends blogs and get kind of annoyed when they don't post in a long time. :-) Well- maybe annoyed isn't the right word. Reading blogs of friends I don't get to see very often helps me to feel like I am still a part of their lives. I hate that I have missed watching Elli grow up and that I haven't been able to share with Jessie in this special time. I also hate that I have NEVER EVEN MET my friend Jessica's 2 year old! It is truly true that time flies... and I don't like it one bit.

Life's A Beach!

So... My mom came down to visit last weekend. This was the first time she had been down to NC since we bought our house last January. Yeah- it's been awhile! :-)

She said she would come down to visit under one condition.... she wanted to walk on the beach and feel the waves. I didn't have any complaints about this suggestion.

We got up early Saturday and drove down to Fort Fisher, NC.

The gazebo. Beautiful Fort Fisher.

Looking for food.

Having fun with our shadows.

The kite people.

Welp- there ya have it. Our day trip to the beach. Wish you were there, huh!
FYI- the last picture is not us (duh). My mom and I were minding our business, just chillin on Carolina Beach. We were the only ones on the beach for a good half mile in either direction. That's when the kite people showed up. It started with two ladies, mid forties maybe, walking the beach pulling a kite as they went. They past us once. Then apparently needed to go back from where they were coming from. They passed us a second time. This time however, they saw a guy who looked as though he was about to launch his kite (right beside of us). It was one of those with two handles. Impressive, I know! (haha) Being nice, GOOD kite people, they decided to stop and help him (right beside of us). Before you know it, the ladies are on one side of us and the guy is on the other. The kite is not in the mood to go on flight so it repeatedly crashes back onto the sand (right beside of us). We had to duck several times so not to be decapitated by the kite string. Did I mention that all of this was taking place RIGHT BESIDE OF US... WITH NO ONE ELSE FOR MILES! Needless to say, but you can only handle that for so long. We gave up and decided to head to dinner.

He never did get the kite in the air.

WVU Football...

They say that a picture speaks a thousand words....

The only words that came to me... HAHAHA

One for me, One for you

On the outskirts of town, there was a big old pecan tree by the cemetery fence.

One day two kids filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing them.

"One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me," said the boy.
Several were dropped and rolled down toward the gate. Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate.

Sure enough, he heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me."
He just knew what it was.
"Oh my," he shuddered, "it's Satan and the Lord dividing the souls at the cemetery."
He jumped back on his bike and rode off.

Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.
"Come here quick," said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard. Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls!"
The man said, "Beat it, kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk?" When the boy insisted, the man hobbled to the cemetery.

Standing by the fence they heard,
"One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." The old man whispered,
"Boy, you've been tellin' the truth, let's see if we can see the devil himself."
Shaking with fear, they peered through the gate, yet were still unable to see anything.

The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the gate tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of Satan.

At last they heard,
"One for you, one for me. And one last one for you.
That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the gate, and we'll be done."

They say, the old guy made it back to town before the boy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't know about you, but I am glad that that's not how it's gonna happen when the Lord returns. :-)

Know Him and live your life for Him now, so that when the day comes, He will know you and allow you to live eternity with Him.

creepy and beautiful

I personally don't think I would want to be considered creepy and beautiful... at least not in the same sentence.

The visitor I found when coming home from work tonight however, is... both.

This last picture, with my hand, was an attempt to show the size of the spider. My hand is actually about 6 inches in front of the spider (window was in the way). So in reality, the spider was about the length of my index finger.

The first two pics were about he same... I had a hard time determining which one had better coloring.

Bizarre American Holiday...Yeah! You have one too!

So- my dear friend had this on her blog... so I had to copy. :-)
(love ya Jessie)

Go to this page, click on your month and find your birthday! You should then laugh and feel honored to have such an occasion on your birthday - and then post your holiday on my comment list!

Now I need some help from ya'll... according to this lovely site (smiling), December 2nd (which is my birthday for those of you who are confused) is National Fritters Day. Now I must ask the obvious... WHAT THE HECK IS A FRITTER???

I am imagining a little bug.... hummm...

VBS = ER

Yesterday, Shawn and I helped out with a one day VBS at East Rock Community Church. This is a new church that is being planted here in Roxboro. It use to be Front Street Baptist Church, but the members chose to disband for several reasons. There were very few people that were still a part of that church family and they didn't have a full time pastor. In fact, I am not even sure they had a part time pastor. Anyways... they deeded the property and church building over to our local baptist association. Shortly after this happened, Rev. Tim Bowes, decided to start fresh and reach out to that community. He, along with Brett Carver, have stepped in to plant a new church. Shawn and I have had the opportunity to help with prayer walking, door to door surveying to meet the neighbors and ask about needs, and, as you can read in the title, VBS.

We were set and ready to go! All of the classrooms inside were decked out for the sports themed VBS. Shawn and I were in charge of recreation. This was right up Shawns ally being a PE teacher and all. We were all excited.

Before I go any further with this story, I believe I need to back up a bit. Well...let me see... oh yeah. Tim and Brett have been doing Bible studies in the parsonage since June. On Wednesday evenings, Tim meets with the adults and teens for a study while Brett takes the kids for Bible lessons. Then on Sunday afternoons, Brett and Tim have been doing Bible studies with teens. (This is where their hearts really are.) Anyways, Tim recently told Shawn that the Bible studies have grown so much that they had to split and do more than one. He also told Shawn that at the last one, there was standing room only! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

So- in preparing for VBS, Tim visited over 37 families who had been coming to the Bible studies. Most of them said they would bring the kids. He also passed out over 200 fliers in east Roxboro. The word was out! People had prayed and prepared! Now it was in His hands to stir them and bring them!

9:00 rolled around- no kids... 9:15- no kids... then Willie chimed in... "these people ain't 9 o'clock people" (well- his choice of the word was not people, but a word that begins with the letter 'n' that is only politically correct for him to use) :-) ya'll just gotta know Willie! He is a rising 9th grader that Brett has taken under his wing. He is quite a character- and a new believer!!!

What is VBS without any kids?... umm... exactly- nothing! So, a few of the workers (who had brought their own kids) decided to parade through the neighborhood to find the kids. Signs in hand, kids with pom-poms and Willie carrying a giant inflatable football... what a sight! They managed to round up a few kids and VBS was on. Tim decided that he and two of the other guys would go around the neighborhood again while things got moving.

(top pic) This is Brett, Tim, and Willie posing with the signs. (bottom pic) Tim, Willie and Antonio heading out on bike with signs in tow to round up some more kids for VBS. Now, as you can imagine, this does catch some attention! :-)

A few more kids to come, but more importantly, a bunch of high school guys show up. After all, it was about lunch time. :-) Like I mentioned before, youth is what Tim and Brett have a passion for. Gangs are a real issue in this area and the need for the Lord is great. The turn out for VBS was less than expected, but the number of high school (and some older) guys that showed up was much more than we dreamed. God works in mysterious ways! His plan is bigger than ours and He showed us that yesterday.

I am sure you are still wondering how the ER fits into all of this... well let me just tell you. It was time for lunch at VBS- hotdogs-yumm. To give all the kids time to eat, Brett, Shawn and all the guys went to play some backyard football before they came to eat. They decided to play tackle instead of touch. Shawn's comment was more than true, "Someone always gets hurt when playing tackle, but count me in." I guess he just didn't realize it was his turn. Sure enough, after about 10 minutes of playing here he comes shaking his hand. He was a little redin the face and his first words were, "I think I broke my fingers and might need to go to the hospital." For any of you women who married a stubborn man, the word hospital told me it was serious. So that's where we headed for some x-rays. Two hours later and he gets a splint and a referral to an orthopedic to see if he needs it pinned. Talk about exciting!

When we got out of the ER, we went back over to the church to see how things finished up. Brett informed us that he had a small Bible study with the guys after football and he thinks they made a few new connections! That's what it's all about... building relationships- building bridges to share the gospel. Even if we don't always understand the way things are going, God does!

Here are a few more pics from VBS...

Please watch!

Please take a few minutes to watch this video...it will truly touch your soul.

E-bay

Go check out what Jessica found on e-bay!!!

http://dontgivehimcrackers.blogspot.com

Need a good laugh???

Today was the first 'official' day back for teachers. Lots of meetings and even more cleaning in my room. :-) So I needed something to make me smile... cute baby pics, funny puppy story, something. So, when I got home I was checking out the blogs of people on my blog hit list. I found the clip below on Ben and Amy's page. I LAUGHED HYSTERICALLY! Gotta love it!
As they said- it kinda reminds me of Monty Python... ENJOY! :-)


An Australian Senator is interviewed regarding an oil spill that resulted in 20,000 tons of oil being dumped into the ocean. BTW- this video clip is for comedy purposes.


Australian Senator Discusses Oil Spill - Watch more free videos

Mother Daughter Blonde Moment

I have brunette hair. In fact, I have VERY dark brunette hair. But- I do occasionally have "blonde moments", or moments of DUH- I suppose you could say.

Our car is fairly new. It has a digital display of the outside temperature. Here lately, it is not uncommon for it to read 105 to 115 degrees when I first get it. Sitting in the sun all day really heats the car up. But sure enough, once you start driving the temperature slowly drops to a more appropriate 98/99 degrees.

Tonight... I was driving home from a bible study and I called my hubby to let him know I was on my way. (I'm a good wifey) I saw that the car read 101.2. It was 8:30pm! I kinda asked Shawn what he thought, and if it could still be that hot? It was very humid today- but wow! I figured it would cool off as I drove so our conversation changed. I looked down a few minutes later and it was up to 101.7. This worried me! I started to talk to Shawn about it again. It continued to rise. Could the car be overheating? It was now up to 102.1! Shawn and I brainstormed for a minute. Then he made a comment I will never forget. "I didn't think the car showed the temperature in tenths." DUH! It doesn't! I was looking at the odometer.

After I caught my breath from laughing so hard I called my mom. I figured she would get a kick out of it. I called and told her about my blonde moment. I continued to tell her I would have a blog about it so the rest of the world could laugh WITH me. :-) I wasn't sure how "up-to-date" my mom was so I asked her if she knew what a blog was. She said she did and that she couldn't believe I would put that story on there. I continued the blog discussion by suggesting that she go check mine out. I told her she needed to check out the bookshelf Shawn made for me, that she needed to go look at the picture of the bookshelf Shawn made. She asked me, "look at what?"

I repeated, "a bookshelf".

She replies, "What is it?" Now mind you that my phone sometimes cuts out- I figured she didn't hear me.

"Mom- A Bookshelf!"

"A what???" she asked for the third time.

"A BOOKSHELF!" as if me saying it louder would fix the problem.

"What's that?" she asked. Now I am really confused.

"Mom- A shelf -for books!"

"On your blog?"

"Yes mom- a picture of the shelf Shawn built!"

"Oh- (as she starts laughing) a picture?!?"

Apparently her mind was stuck on Internet lingo... she told me later (in between laughs) she was thinking to herself that she knew what a bookmark on the Internet was, but not a bookshelf.

Total blonde moment!

Rebecca's Originals

Hey all... for those of you who know me... you know I have a love for photography.

I decided that I would like to share this with the

blogging world!

Check out http://rebeccasoriginals.blogspot.com/

Those are the only ones I have to upload at this time... but I have several I want to scan and add asap. Check it out now... but come back again soon!

Boomshine

There is something very hypnotic about this game...

Object: click the mouse. pop as many bubbles as the level requires. clear all of the bubbles= "boomshine" and get double the points.
I read that is takes the average person 25 tries (per level) on levels 9-12 to pop the target number. are you average?!? :-)

Post your score as a comment!

My Own Ty

Let me begin by telling the story about my husband Shawn.

It was back in May that Shawn had one of his many brilliant ideas. We needed a cabinet to fit in our kitchen beside of the fridge. It was kind of an odd size that we needed. The only one we found at Lowes (that MIGHT work) was about $150. Yowzers... I wasn't exactly excited about that. This is when I could smell the wheels in Shawn's mind working overtime. He decided that he would build the cabinet. Seriously?!? I thought to myself... but soon agreed because I could see he was already 'emotionally' committed. (when he gets his mind set to something- no turning back- or so I thought)

The very next day, he was off buying all the the wood that he would need for this 'simple' project. He measured twice and cut once. I was impressed. Then the project came to a sudden halt. He wasn't quite sure how he wanted to hang the doors. Apparently there are many different types and hinges... and he just didn't know which ones he wanted to use.

So- it is now August and here is a picture of my kitchen storage cabinet. Or I guess I should call it, more appropriately, my pile of wood.
Well, there is more to the story...

So- I have been wanting a new bookshelf for a while. I have tons of books. More books that I will ever have time to read. But I like books... and I am getting into the habit of buying cute children's books for when we have kids someday. Needless to say, our measly Wal-mart fake wood with the cardboard back bookshelf needed a little help. I started to smell those wheels turning again... and here it came. "I'll make you a bookshelf honey" he said with a smile. And of course my first thought was- I don't have room for more wood to be stacked around the house. Then off he went- to game plan. He started by drawing this sketch Friday night. I liked it... kinda had a retro, artsy twist to it. Very modern and much more detailed than the cabinet he never finished. That kinda worried me... but he told me to have a little faith in him and he promised me a book self.

Sure enough, Saturday morning he was off to Lowes to buy all of the wood he would need and got right to work.He used the bed of the truck as a make-shift work bench. :-) And as you can see below...I gave him a hand in the project... well... I guess I should say I have him a stand in the project. (haha) Yup... your eyes are seeing it correct. I stood on some of the boards to stabilize them while he cut them. Maybe he should ask Santa for a work bench with the wood clamps. TaDa! I now have a very cool book self! It still needs to be stained and put into place... but I am so excited. I am starting to make him a list of things he needs to make... any suggestions? :-)

That's All I'm Worth?!? HA!

Well... A very close blogging friend of mine recently had a post that calculated the amount her blog was "worth". Now mind you, she did not come up with this figure on her own. :-)

There is really a page out there that will calculate the amount-in dollars-your blog is worth. LOL. ( btw...I am not kidding. )

Apparently Jess is a pretty good blogger. I enjoy reading them. Apparently many others do as well. According to the Internet site, her blog is worth $101,617.20. WOW! I thought to myself... and of course this made me wonder about my pitiful little blog.

Yeah well... the results are in...

My blog is worth $2,258.16.
How much is your blog worth?

I guess I better get busy...

Kinda home...

Well... Montana was GREAT! God is awesome and it was awesome to see Him at work.

I am kinda home... we made it home from Montana @ midnight on Saturday... got up and went to church Sunday, but left Sunday afternoon to come visit family in West Virginia. So- I am not really at my home yet... but will be by Saturday (hopefully- I am ready to be back in my own bed).

Right now it is late and I am exhausted. I still haven't caught up from our trip out west. I have stories to tell you all about the trip and pictures to post... but not tonight. :-)

Thanks for all the prayers!

Montana or Bust

Hey...

just in case anyone actually reads this, besides erin b :-), we are leaving for montana in like 4 hours- woohoo!
we are headin there to help out a missionary with the north american mission board

pray that God will open doors for us to share the gospel, pray that God will use us in a mighty way

i will let ya know all the details when i return... in 10 days to be exact :-)

We freed the hot dogs

Well... we had the block party for Neuva Esperanza last night. We passed out free hot dogs and information about the upcoming Bible studies.

I thought I would be "cool" and use one of those free online translators to say that in Spanish... so here ya go :-)

Bien... tuvimos el partido del bloque para Neuva Esperanza anoche. Nosotros nos desmayamos libertamos los perros calientes y la información acerca de los estudios próximos de Biblia.

Then I noticed the "fine print". It said -This free translation is ideal for instant, draft-quality results. It is a "gisted" translation, providing a basic understanding of the original text.

That kinda made me think..."humm, I will have no well of telling if it translated the way I want it to...for all I know- I could be telling people we will be giving away biblical hotdogs, or maybe something along the lines of passing out at a party." For any of you who have taken a Spanish class you will understand. Things don't always translate word for word.

So I came up with the bright idea of using a different website that translates and paste in what they gave me in Spanish. If I entered the Spanish and have it translated back into English I will be able to better understand what I am telling the world in Spanish. So I did that! :-) Apparently this is the literal translation of what the Spanish is actually saying. *LOL*

... we had the party of the block for Neuva well Hope last night. We freed the hot dogs and the information about the next studies of Bible.

FREE THE HOT DOGS!

gotta love it :-)

Anyways- just had to enlighten ya'll.

So here are some pics from the last night.

Fixin' the "freed hot dogs"

Takin' hot dogs door to door

Balloon animals for the kids

Neuva Esperanza

Vacation Bible School... those three little words can bring back some fun memories.

VBS at Westwood is a little different this year and I believe it is working in the lives of that adults just as much as the kids. VBS is taking place on Wednesday nights with the focus of missions. Each week, the kids 'board a plane and fly to a different country'. We have been to Hungary, China, Bolivia, Peru, and to East Roxboro (yeah- that's where we live now). Our church either supports missionaries in those areas, has been there on a mission trip, or both. We learn about what God is doing in those areas, how we can support and pray for the people there, and about the importance of speading the gospel to all the nations. Acts 1:8 "You will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes to you. Then you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem. You will be my witnesses in all Judea and Samaria. And you will be my witnesses from one end of the earth to the other."

Like I said earlier, one of the weeks in VBS we 'traveled' to East Roxboro. This is because our church is currently helping a new church be planted right here in our hometown. So often when we think of mission work, we think we must travel elsewhere. But truthfully, the people right here in our own neighborhood need to hear the good news of Jesus just the same as those in other countries. If I translated Acts 1:8 to be speaking directly to me, it would say "...be my witness in Roxboro. You will be my witness in Person County and North Carolina. And you will be my witness from one end of the earth to the other." Roxboro is my Jerusalem. Are you being a witness in your Jerusalem?

Yesterday, Shawn and I had an awesome opportunity to help with a mission project right here in our home town.

This leads me to the title of the blog. Neuva Esperanza. Neuva Esperanza is a Spanish Mission church that meets in the fellowship hall of our church weekly. Somehow they inherited an empty trailer that is located in a trailer park that is mostly a hispanic people group. They have been working on the trailer for quite a while now...cleaning, new walls, new flooring, etc. They are planning on using the property to hold Bible studies to reach out to the spanish commnuity. So, a team from Westwood got together yesterday to help out with the project. We were able to accomplish a lot, but there is so much that still needs to be done. We are going to be having a block party tomorrow to hand out free hotdogs, balloon animals, listen to live music, continue with some of the work, and pass out information reguarding the upcoming Bible studies. It is so awesome to be a part of Gods work.

Here are some pictures from the work day yesterday.

Here she is! (the trailer that is) The guys were building a new porch.

Jim was installing new light fixtures.

The ladies cleaned on the inside... and boy did we clean.

This is only about HALF of the trash we hauled out of the trailer.

Shawn and I taking a much needed break.

I ask that you be in prayer for the upcoming Bible studies that will be taking place in this very trailer. Pray that God will open many doors, provide opportunites for Neuva Esperanza to share God's word, and that they will be a light in this community.

Christians --

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin"
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

"When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

TAG!... I'm it?!?

5 Snacks I enjoy

1) chocolate chip cookies straight out of the oven

2) a can of Planters Deluxe Nuts (well not the WHOLE can)

3) chocolate icecream with chunks and swirls of chocolate :-)

4) any fresh fruit

5) cheesecake swirl brownies



5 songs that I know all the lyrics to

1) most praise and worship songs

2) "This One's For the Girls" Martina McBride

3) "Jesus Take the Wheel" (if I hear it)

4) "The Morning Song" Jewel

5) Baby Got Back by Sir Mix Alot (me too Jess!)


5 Things I would do if I were a Millionaire

1) adopt a bunch of kids from Korea

2) quit teaching and open up a pottery studio (in my back yard)

3) spend my summers traveling the world

4) give away most of the money to missions

5) Pay off ALL my bills and become debt free



5 Bad Habits

1) biting my fingernails (this is a bad, BAD habit)

2) procrastinating

3) watching WAY too much TV

4) sleeping with Ragly

5) being content at times in my walk with the Lord



5 Things I would Never Wear Again

1) club clothes

2) pegged pants

3) an oversized t-shirt with Bugs Bunny on the front

4) jelly shoes (like the ones we wore when we were kids... yeah, I heard they were makin a come back...AHHHHH!)

5) those long hippie skirts that were all crinkly and had bells on them... the ones that were popular when we were in middle school



5 Things I Like to Do

1) spend time my my hubby (duh)

2) watch TV

3) travel (as long as I can sleep while Shawn drives) :-)

4) catch and frame butterflies and dragonflies

5) be crafty (b&w photography and pottery)



Five People I Tag:
ok- so i don't know 5 bloggers... i'm new at this still

1) Jessie

2) Shelia

3) Erin B.

4) :-(

5) :-(

joining the world of bloggin

Hello world!

This is Rebecca...I have been told I am the better half of Shawn Hatfield...but I beg to differ. :-)

I love the Lord and my husband dearly and enjoy being nosey and read about everyone elses lives. I don't know that I have much to share with the bloggin' world but thought it would be worth a shot.

until then...