Sock Eater

Hello everyone! 
I am finally recovered after that long and exhausting weekend. I am entitling this post sock eater because that is exactly what we have. I have done maybe 7 laundry loads since we have moved in and I have maybe 8 socks without matches? Housewives please tell me how this happens? I thought I would be so precise to how we wash clothes, where to put the dirty laundry and all that jazz... And well somewhere in the mix we lose socks! So I blame it on the dryer! Oh well! 
Monday was a pretty relaxing day... I cleaned and unpacked from the weekend. Caught up on some reading that I have been trying to finish for awhile. I am reading a book called, Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. It's a book about the love a woman most desires and the respect the man desperately needs. So far of what I have read this book is head-on. Rather you are having problems with your marriage or just want to strengthen it I highly recommend this book. It has taught me so many things on how to show and remind Jake how much I respect him and how much I appreciate the little things he does for me! He is so good at reminding me everyday of how he loves me in little ways... and he only deserves to know how much I respect him. :)
 Jake & I received some unexpected news Monday evening. It was kind of a heartache and let down... but since we have such great support it was all taking care of. I know there were gonna be mishaps that was going to happen like this, but I just wasn't expecting it to happen so fast. I was upset for awhile, but finally realized I can be upset all I want it is not going to change a thing. So I made a choice to swallow it and just get over it. Everything we had to do was taken care of, just blessed we have the people we do! 
That night I had wives class, learning so much as usual. Learned all about how to put together a ladies day. In 2 weeks me and 3 other group members have to put together a ladies day. I'm guessing it's a pretty big project so it's probably something I should start working on. :) 
Tuesday was spent about an hour and a half from here at the Freed Hardeman Lectureships. We spent pretty much all day there. I bought my first book from the lectures with the help of our supporters. I bought a book called, Bible Stories from a Rocking Chair. It's a book that won't only help me at home with my children but also a book that is going to help me through the years in my bible classes that I'll soon be teaching. We were blessed to have a sweet girl name Kristen watch Chubbs all day. She also has a chiuaua that kept Chubbs playing all day! He was exhausted when I picked him up and made it home finally.. lol 
I am really looking forward to Friday night... we are having a Valentines banquet at MSOP.  It will be mine and Jake's first Valentines together as one. :) I am trying to decide between 2 different dresses... not sure which I want to wear yet. I'll post many pictures when the time comes. 
 I'm off to cook Jake some lunch, he will be home soon and I'm sure he will be hungry. Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday. Talk to you soon! 
Love you all! 

Chubbs playing 

At the lectureships yesterday

Missy Sutton

God is good... all the time!

Hello again everyone!

Just a warning... I have a lot to say... for this has been one of the most touching, heart warming weekends I have ever have. I apologize about not being able to keep up with you all over the weekend, but once you read my post and see my pictures you will understand why.

Thursday evening Jake and I (and Chubbs) headed out towards GA. We arrived around 12:00 and went straight to bed. There was something I was kind of holding out from everyone all week because we was not sure if this was going to be able to happen or not. Teresa (Jake's mother) has been struggling with lots of pain through her arm and neck. Awhile back she visited her doctor and he informed her that she has bone spurs on her spine and her discs in her neck were non existant causing her severe pain and numbness in her left arm. Insurance purposes almost kept Mrs. Teresa from getting the help she needed. But after they received approval and what not she was ready for surgery. Friday morning at 5:30 she arrived at the hospital and by 9 she was in her recovering room. Jake and I was there to comfort her as soon as she got out of surgery,the doctor said everything went as planned. Teresa was in a lot of pain with a little bit of nausea but she was still that same sweet Teresa. Teresa is now at home being taking care of from her husband and mother. I ask if you can keep my mother-in-law in your prayers. She is such a sweet lady and she is always there when others are in need, and she deserves to feel normal again!

I'm not sure where to begin to explain the other part of this weekend. Well Friday after we left the hospital we were summoned to the church for the Churches of Christ disaster relief truck was ready to be unloaded and they needed some help. There were maybe 30 volunteers that unloaded a truck with 9 tons of supplies!!! Yes 9 tons! I couldn't believe the supplies we received... everything from bleach, clothes, baby formula, box of food for 4 people that will last a week and so much more!! I was overwhelmed at how this operation went. This disaster relief program is a Church of Christ affiliation that our church gives money to so much a year just in case something like this may happen. After the truck was unloaded, Jake, Tate, Kaylah and I headed back to the hospital to spend a little time with Teresa. We were in bed by 10:00 for we knew we had a long day ahead of us.

The next morning (Saturday) we had to be at the church about 9:00 for clean-up. Jake pretty much stayed outside all morning cleaning and I worked within the annex,with the women, on the goods. I helped loading up a truck with supplies that me , a sweet lady named Millie and another guy (not sure the name) decided to go out and see who needed supplies.

The first house we got to, there was a little girl on the front porch. I walked up to her and asked if she was hungry and needed some food. Quickly she said yes! I said,"Ok,we can help you... is your mother home." She proceeded to run inside and retuned quickly with her mother. Come to find out the mother was a single parent with 5 children. She told me how when the power came back on all her appliances blew and she had just went to the grocery store for their weekly groceries and all of them were ruined when the power went out. It broke my heart, rather this family was hurt from the tornado or maybe was way before this disaster, we helped them tremendously. She cried the entire time we were there with them. She was blessing and blessing us. I couldn't help to say," you're welcome but the Lord is who blesses us to be able to help you." I think it kind of took her back for a minute, her eyes got wide and she just wasn't able to say anything. I could tell she was hurt. Not knowing what from, I just said," were having church service tomorrow evening at 2:00 and you and your family are welcome to come." She said,"we will try."

Wow...the rest of the day was spent in Sonarville, a little city outside of Adairsville. We went door to door checking on familes making sure they had all the supplies they needed. At the same time, I saw people burning their own houses. The destruction was so bad, they just burnt their pile of their house caused from the tornado. Heartbreaking. The tornado that went through this part of town was over 1/2 mile wide. We were able to see the exact path it took.

After the day was over, Jake and I was so overwhelmed. We reminisced on the entire day. To what each other did, to the destruction we saw , and to how lucky Adairsville was to only have one death. You would be amazed if you saw the town as well. The pictures just does not do it justice. I would have to say that Adairsville is also blessed, they had over 1300 registered volunteers for Saturday. And that's just the registered ones. The community really came together and it was a beautiful sight.

Sunday morning Jake and I met my parents in Rome to eat lunch with them. It sure was great to see them, it has been awhile. Following lunch we had church service at 2:00 due to the storm. I looked over my shoulder many times through the service wondering if that family would ever walk through the door. They never did. I'm not sure if I will ever see them again, I just hope they pick up that bible that was in their supplies and start reading.

After this weekend I have had my eyes open to parts of the world I have never experienced. From this disaster, even though it was horrible, I am a stronger, giving, more humble Christian lady than I have ever thought of being. I encourage anyone who has never volunteered your time to helping out another family without expecting to receive anything in return to get started. Make it a weekly chore to do something for someone else, rather they know or do not know. A little something may make someones day or maybe even save them from some hurt.

Hope you all enjoyed your weekends. Now its time to rest!

Just a few I took.

   

Notice the house in the back destroyed but the doghouse is fine. 

Taking a break. 

Lunch with the parents :)

Love you all!

Missy Sutton

Heart Breaking...

Good Morning!! 

Wow... that's what fills my mind on what has happened in the last 24 hours. Shortly after I posted my last blog I received a text from Jake that read, "A tornado just hit aville baby. Hit the church building." My heart immediately sank... and questions started filling my head. Where was the warning? How is Jake's family? How is the church family? What happened to the church? Are there people in need? I was overwhelmed. I immediately searched the internet and discovered some images that will scar me forever. The town was destroyed.

 After everything started settling into my head, all I wanted to do was get to Adairsville and help those in need as soon as I could. There are 4,200 people without power, not even putting in the fact it got below freezing last night. There was 1 fatality and over 15 injured. There were homes that were picked up off there foundation and tossed around. There were cars that were found 100 yards from where they were parked. There are hundreds without a job now for there building has been demolished. I can't even begin to explain the way the pictures look. 

Jake and I have decided to leave today after he gets out of class which will be around 5:30 Georgia time. We will be sure to gather our warmest clothes for we know the next few days will be a challenge to stay warm. 

Saturday the church is having a church-wide clean-up. They are not even sure if the church is savable, but we are going to get what is. It has some major damages to it. I will try to post some pictures so you all can kind of get an idea. While the men and volunteers are working outside, I am hoping to find some help from the women of the church with making sure we have coffee/ hot chocolate /bottled water (the county is on a boil only ) and maybe soup for the volunteers. If I have any readers that would like to help/ donate any items I will be more than happy to transfer them to the church. They will be greatly appreciated! 

If that wasn't a scare enough, around 3 I was awaken from my nap with a loud beeping noise. It was one of the scariest things I have ever experienced. I am not going to put it on here, for the privacy of one of my friends. I just thank the Lord I was home and nobody was hurt! 

After calming down from the long day, Jake and I attended church at Forrest Hill here on campus. I held one of the sweetest, cutest baby name Connor. He has the biggest bluest eyes. Makes me miss my Noelle so much!! :( Wednesday night is always our out to eat night, usually with a sweet couple. Heflin (Travis) and Sarah. They are so much like Jake and I. They just love to laugh and cut up like us. :) It's nice to have a couple to double-date with that is so compatible with us. 

Adairsville Church of Christ 

Just an example of what has occurred 

Again

Adairsville Church of Christ

I am not sure if I will have internet access this weekend to keep you up to date with the recovery/ clean up of Adairsville but I will try to find some wifi somewhere. Hope everyone has a great Thursday and I ask for your prayers today as Jake and I (and Chubbs) make the trip to GA. Also, keep the community in your prayers daily that they can continue on there normal everyday life. 

Thank you! 

Love you all. 

Missy Sutton 

Blessed...

Hello Again!! 

Lori & Angela the ladies that the threw me the shower.

Before the Shower

I'm entitling this post blessed because that is exactly what I am. As you know I had a recipe shower put together last night for me from the ladies of MSOP. There was some delicious finger foods, games (which were all about me) and of course I was showered with recipes and a little something from each recipe. I have never heard of a recipe shower before, but I can say this much.. my pantry is full!!! Jake and I were giving all sorts of recipes from chicken casserole to organic brownies!! (which I am looking forward to seeing how those taste :) ) The shower was wonderful but being around those women is just the blessed part of it. Christian, humble and giving women. I look forward to getting to know everyone of them better. 

As you all may know or may not know I am a little kiddish about storms. Well actually I am almost terrified of the thought of tornadoes! But we survived last night. Around 11:00 Jake and I got in the bed and we were both half asleep and I remember having a conversation about me being scared and what I was going to do if a tornado came. I proceeded to tell him we would grab Chubbs, pillows and blankets and hunker down in the bathtub together. Jake being Jake just smiled and said no worries... lets pray. That's what we did. Jake prayed for not only safety but also for an ease in my mind. One of the main reasons I fell for Jake was that he always put me at ease. He is always the optimistic one, the one that looks at the cup half full. Also a reason I am so blessed. 

This morning I was cleaning and I started thinking about the song Heirlooms by Amy Grant and how much this song means to my family and I. Shortly after I start to think about my parents and my sister, how blessed I was to have such a tight knit family. Miles and miles away from them, they are still here with me. I started noticing that all around this apartment there are a little bit of everyone of mine and Jake's family and friends here. Rather it be a dish towel to a kitchen table. I think about how the ones that have passed and how I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for them. I am blessed again! 

I say all this to get to the whole point of it all. We are all blessed! We are blessed with the gift of forgiveness. The forgiveness we receive from the Lord. I have done countless of things in my life that the Lord could just turn his back on me but he doesn't, he loves me even more.  I heard a man once say, think about your sins being a baseball, think about how far God could throw that baseball BEHIND HIM... and he never looks back to go get it. God forgives and forgets, he never looks back. God blesses those that lives by his commandments... for that I am blessed! 

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

1 John 1:9
"Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart"
Psalm 119:2

Love you all! 
Missy Sutton

Settling In...

Good Morning!! 

Yesterday ended up being a crazy day!! I don't know what it is about this cold stuff, but it comes and goes with me. I felt pretty bad yesterday morning so I stayed home from chapel and just cuddled up with Chubbs all morning on the couch. About 11:00 I remembered Jake buying me this sinus cold and flu medicine a couple weeks ago. I took one sip of that, slept a couple hours and I woke up a cleaning machine!! I did 2 loads of laundry, cleaned bathrooms, and I swept and swiffered. (not sure if that's a word) And also finished Jake's office! Which I have been trying to find the time and effort to do for a week now. I would never be able to study and concentrate in a room like it was... but it's all organized and clean now. (a trait I got from my mama) Needless to say, when he got home he was very surprised and grateful. :) I did have wives class last night at 6:30. I learned all about how to teach Sunday school class, from visual aids to memory work. I never thought that I would be the one teaching one day, but I may enjoy it after-all. 
Today is a pretty busy day for me. At 8:30 I will attend chapel with Jake, he's leading singing today. I always enjoy listening to him sing. Then I have a ladies bible study with the ladies at Forrest Hill. It's actually pretty interesting, it's a handful of older ladies that show what they know. 
Tonight at 6:30 the wives are throwing me a recipe shower. (I am sure Jake is happy for that) Btw these wives are the most welcoming women, I was so nervous thinking what if they don't like me? Or what if I don't fit in? It's not really like that.. you're just one of them. Which was a huge relief. 
I have always had this verse that I reflect on when I get scared or discouraged, I hope it helps you as well. 
 ^"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6

Love you! 
Missy Sutton 

Catching up...

Hello family and friends. 

Living Room

Jake's bookshelf/desk

I hope all is well your way. I hope everyone is healthy and not fighting this cold crud as I am this morning. I have decided to start this blog not only to keep my family and friends informed on my day-to-day routines/memories but also a reminder to myself of how blessed Jake and I are to be able to experience something like this. Never thought I would say this, but I am a preacher's wife at MSOP!! MSOP stands for Memphis School of Preaching and only approximately 50 men at a time during the year are accepted into the school. So I have to say we are pretty lucky to be here coming both from small hole in the wall towns:) MSOP is located in the Memphis area. I'm really not even sure if we live in Germantown, Collierville or even Memphis, It all seems to be on top of each other. Jake has class everyday from 9-4 with a lunch break at 12-1. He starts off day at 8:30 with chapel, in which everyone gathers together in the Chapel and they worship together. ( in which I go every morning with him as well) I would have to say hearing 50 men singing together Hymnals can give you some goosebumps. I am now learning how to be a housewife. It hasn't gotten to crazy around here yet. I do laundry, dishes, and general house cleaning every day. Honestly, I enjoy it. Never thought I would say that. :) My mother can contend to that! Well let's catch up on my first week here. My mother, daddy, Chubbs (the dog) and I made the long haul last Saturday ( which seemed like it took forever). We had so much help getting all our stuff into our apartment, we have such nice neighbors. ( btw we live on campus with all the other families) Spent a little time with the family, and then our first night in our apartment was finished. Sunday morning, a nice couple, Tyler and Tabby, who are also newlyweds invited us over to eat breakfast. Since we had no groceries yet we were more than willing to chow down. We had church service and then met with the parents to say our goodbyes. They treated us to lunch, blessed us with some groceries and off they went. Reality begins :) 
Every Monday night I am required to attend a wives class that is taught by MSOP. At first I was almost skeptical not knowing what to expect. 6:30 we report to chapel for worship.  We sing, pray and have a short lesson from one of the wives. (there are about 25 of us) Then we proceed to have class from 7-9. It got pretty serious in there when I realized that one day that will be me standing in front of a wives class teaching also when she gave us our syllabus and had a project on Abraham due next Monday!!!! (which is tonight) I finally got it finished with a little help from Jake :) the smart one. 
The week continued to get better and better, we attended Wednesday night service here at Forrest Hill on campus. The next night we were invited over for Chilli, cornbread and games from our neighbors just below us. They are the Charnocks, Robert, P.J. and baby Eli (so cute). Makes me miss Noelle. :( But I got to hold him for awhile and he is a super sweet baby. 

Our Bedroom

Living Room/ Jake taking a study break

Friday we had a long day ahead of us, there was a lectureship at the Nesbitt congregation in Hernando, MS, about 45 mins from MSOP. Sat through about 7 lectures, learning a lot. I could just see Jake's eyes filling with sermon ideas. He has a huge passion for learning and teaching the Lord's word. Following the lectures we made the long trip to Adairsville, Ga for Jake got the privilege to preach on Sunday morning. And now we're back in Memphis, back to the grind (as Jake says) 
After the first week in Memphis I know this is going to be a very challenging 2 years for us. I ask for your prayers daily that not only we stay strong together in our faith, but also together in our marriage. 
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband; But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. Proverbs 12:4
Love you! 
Missy Sutton