Aaron turns 27!!!

Friday, September 26th was Aaron's 27th birthday! The SWAT (not sure what that stands for) Team from LifeWay (which consists of other store managers and various people from the corporate office come and help stock all of the product for new stores) came to set up his store on Friday and have been working all weekend because his store opens tomorrow - WooHoo! This has been a long work in process but it's finally happening! We celebrated his birthday the week prior by going out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. Aaron is not a big cake fan - he prefers pies and his favorite is cherry pie. So, I baked him something in between...it's kind of a cherry cake/pie/cobbler thing. Whatever you call it - He loved it (he even dreamed that it won a prize at a bake-off HAHA - my cooking would never win a prize!) which made me smile as I was able to make his birthday special. :)

Broken Vases and Sanctification

As you can see from the picture above, there are two vases on our entertainment center. Prior to Saturday, there were 3 vases grouped nicely together (grouping objects in "threes" is a decorating technique - Thanks for that tip, Mom!). However, my sweet husband who is working long hours trying to get his new store ready to open next week, took his last day off for awhile (other than Sundays) to help me dust our apartment (he is so amazing - did I mention that?!) and yep...he broke one of the vases.

Prior to my conversion to Christ 10+ years ago, I would've been very angry at that. Even after my conversion, I would have still been angry. But, this time was different...my reaction was led by the Spirit and I wanted to react differently - I wanted to react in a God-fearing manner. I do not credit this change of heart to anything in myself (and I was still disappointed that the vase was broken) but I see it as God's kindness to me in choosing to remind me that He is sanctifying me and making me more like His Son and less like my sinful self.

The Christian life is filled with fighting off and/or giving into sin. When we give into the sin, we are often discouraged. Thus, it's kind of God to occasionally throw something in life to remind me "...that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6b HCSB) Thank you for breaking our vase, Aaron - It pointed out evidences of God's grace in my life that I might otherwise would have missed!

The Wilsons Get Cable (finally!)

We have thoroughly enjoyed having cable the past couple of weeks! Aaron has been able to watch several football games with no static. I have been able to watch all kinds of fun shows on TLC such as "A Baby Story" & "Bringing Baby Home" and other girly shows.

Even though the Carolina Gamecock's lost to the Georgia Bulldogs 14-7 today, Aaron and Toby still enjoyed cheering them on. :)

Missing SC

I've been having a little bit of a hard time in NC lately. I miss our family and friends in SC (and GA now too) very much. You'd think that only moving a state away wouldn't seem so strange, but it does and still doesn't feel like "home" yet. Aaron keeps reminding me that this isn't my "home" and that nowhere on earth should feel like it is home because God has set eternity in my heart. My heart yearns for heaven more than I realize and manifests itself through my longing for others. Each time that I think of a family member or friend whom I miss, I need to take that moment to thank God for saving me and so many of my loved ones so that one day, we will all be united in heaven where time and space will no longer create barriers between us.

And for those of you that aren't saved, please come to the cross today and find salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ so that you will also share heaven as your home one day!