Have You Ever...?

This will be the first of many postings in regards to Gatlinburg. A little background..every year (well for 3 years) we have attended Resurrection in Gatlinburg with our church youth group. Although we always return feeling extremely tired, we also return with a fire for Christ. Everyone needs a little revival at some point.

I'm not ready to share any pictures yet. But for some reason this morning I felt led to share with whoever reads this an amazing feeling. I titled this Have you ever..because I wanted people to think about things they have never done and want to put on their "bucket list." At the very top should be...lead someone to Christ.

I watched 5 of our youth accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour this weekend. With this commitment comes great responsibility (yes, Spiderman..sort of..with great power, comes great responsibility). Now it is our role as Christians to help guide them on this journey. There was one member who surrendered this weekend who I have been particularly praying and working with. He means a great deal to me and it was absolutely amazing to watch him walk up during the altar call and accept Jesus. I thought having my children or getting married would definitely be at the top of my happiest time list. And they are there..absolutely...but this beat both of those. (I'm sure when my children accept Jesus..that will be at the top.) There just is not another feeling like it.

So, I challenge you all to have this same experience. It allows you to experience Christ in a different way when you know that someone you love has made the commitment that will guarantee their eternal salvation.

Love you all..will share pictures when we return from the trip. Please join us at church on the 25th to really understand and share in our Gatlinburg Resurrection 2009 experience.

MDA Website

Sorry I forgot to leave an important part of this...visit the website to make any donations. Thanks so much!!

https://www.joinmda.org/hopkinsvillelockup2009/chrisregina/

Muscular Dystrophy Association

Hello to all!! Hope this finds everyone well! So, I am using my blog for personal gain! I have volunteered for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and am being locked up on February 25th. My bail is $1200.00..wow! I hate asking people for money and I know everyone is having fundraiser after fundraiser (I know because Kaelyn has one about every month). So without sounding redundant (please donate to a good cause). Please donate to a good cause. I know everyone is experiencing difficult times..but we can't forget those who are less fortunate. Wheel chairs and braces are expensive..especially for people who don't have insurance. Any little you can donate I would really appreciate..$5, $10, $20. Trust me..I understand how tough times are! Thanks so much for supporting me in this...God Bless you all!

A Look into 2009

As promised, I have posted some pictures from Christmas! (Just checkout the slide show.) After my post on Christmas Eve, we all had another round of sickness. Thank goodness we made it through Christmas Day with no sickness! Now that Christmas is over, we are all looking toward an exciting 2009.

I have told many of you that I don't make resolutions. Resolutions are always broken. So, I like to call them goals. That seems to work a little better. So here are few of my goals for my family this year.

I would love for all of us to get healthier. Shannon and Chris are running a 5K on Valentine's Day and I would love to be able to the next one with them. So, we have made a goal to go to the YMCA more and eat healthier (as a family). We can only do it together! I also want to use my Wii Fit more. I got this for Christmas and it's really fun!

I want to continue Kaelyn's passion for learning. Chris and I have to commit to take time with her whenever she is wanting to read and write. I also want to start reading to both of the kids every night and saying our family prayer (we have definitely put this aside since the busy holiday season).

I will be finished with my master's by this time next year. I am open to new and exciting things with my career this year.

Chris and I have committed to do better financially. We just want to be a little more "tighter" with our money to ensure we fulfill some long term goals we have. And he has promised...we will not purchase a vehicle this year. In fact, we are trying not make any major purchases this year at all.

I have mentioned everyone except Caleb, but it's not like he has some major goals at 3. So we just want to keep him as sweet and rotten as he is.

Chris and I also have some high expectations and goals for our youth group and spiritually in general. Some of this will be fulfilled with the trip to Gatlinburg (at least a good start).

Above all, I want to make sure we take time for all of our family. This past year has been crazy with sickness, deaths, surgeries, and accidents. I think we have all learned not to take anyone for granted. With that said, I ask that all of you pray for my mom. She is having a somewhat simple surgery on the 15th. But nevertheless, we want to make sure that everything goes well.