Women of Faith Weekend

I was blessed to be able to attend the Women of Faith conference this weekend in Charlotte. There was a large group of women from our Sunday school class that went and we had amazing seats right near the stage! It was such an incredible time of fellowship, prayer, worship and teaching. I was blown away to hear some of these women’s stories about love, loss, heartache and betrayal…but each of them learning, through it all, the power of God’s healing, forgiveness and a peace that passes understanding. It was a truly wonderful time that I will not soon forget!

Ryan and Lauren had a fun father/daughter weekend together while I was gone. Ryan and I came up with a great adventure they could go on together. So, on Saturday, he re-enacted the theme from the kids show “Go, Diego, Go!” and hid some of her stuffed animals all over the house while she was sleeping. Then, after she got up and ate breakfast, they went on a safari hunt to find and rescue the animals. They had their “rescue pack” with a flashlight, telescope and camera and they went from room to room finding the animals and saving them. She had so much fun and keeps asking if we can do it again.

Saturday was also an exciting milestone for us as I hit the halfway mark in my pregnancy! Lauren was able to feel the baby kick for the first time today, which was very fun for her…although Ryan still hasn’t felt him move yet. We are all getting quite anxious to meet this little guy and to have him join and complete our family!

It's a Boy!!

We went to the doctor today for our 4½ month ultrasound. It was very exciting because we were finally able to see the baby and to find out what it was! The ultrasound technician did all of her measurements and pictures first...and then she turned the screen and showed us our little man! I started crying and Ryan was so thrilled. We took Lauren with us and she was just fascinated by being able to see the baby on the “TV screen”. She is very excited to have a little brother. She said, “Now Daddy won’t be the only boy!”

So the challenge now is coming up with a name that everyone likes!! We are definitely open to suggestions, so please email us with some good boy names. :) Here are some pictures from our ultrasound that we, of course, think are too cute:

Birthday Celebration

October 17th marks a very important day for me. Today is the day, 24 years ago, that I became a Christian. We call it my “spiritual birthday”. Growing up, my mom always made a big deal about this day, buying us a new devotional book or Bible, giving us the “You Are Special” plate at dinner and reminiscing about the day it all began.

I barely remember it, because I was only 4 years old. And I’m sure I didn’t fully understand all the intricacies of the Christian faith at that time. But, I do remember feeling like there was something more…and I wanted to find out what it was. What began as the innocent curiosity of a child grew into a love relationship with the heavenly Father.

I never could have imagined then the journey the Lord would take me on, the ways He would reveal Himself to me and the unfathomable love He would demonstrate to this undeserving girl. He stood by my side even when I pushed Him away, continually pursued me when I rebelled against Him, and showered me with grace and love when I became utterly consumed with myself. I still stand in amazement today when I look back and see His faithfulness when I was so faithless. It is something I may never comprehend this side of heaven, but something I will forever be grateful for.

What an incredible adventure the last 24 years of walking with Him have been! I am blessed beyond words to call Him my Savior. I am thankful every day for His unfailing love. And it is my privilege to share with everyone how He redeemed my life from the pit!


This sacred romance, this journey of my soul,
The voice that began speaking to me so many years ago.
It told me I was special, unique and greatly loved.
It told me that I didn’t have to hide from who I was.

But, somehow, along the way, that voice grew small and weak.
Amidst the heartaches of life, I could no longer hear it speak.
Yet, the desires of my soul remained and grew deeper still.
I relentlessly pursued something for this void to fill.

Never succeeding in my attempts, no matter what I tried.
Couldn’t find what I was longing for until to myself, I died.
Now I can see so clearly the pure and simple truth:
In this puzzle of my life, the missing piece was You.

You were the Voice that spoke to me from the very start,
The only One who could fit the hole that gaped inside my heart.
Embracing You now with joy, I gladly follow Your lead,
Knowing You’re the one True Love who can fulfill my every need.

Pumpkin Patch

Today we ventured out for a family trip to the pumpkin patch. This is a tradition that my family always did together, so this was our first time going just the Smith’s.

We drove about an hour to a place called Patterson Farms. It is a family owned and operated farm that began in 1919 and has been handed down from generation to generation. It was huge!

















There was a hay ride that took you all over the farm. They had a petting zoo with goats, pigs, chickens, peacocks, ponies, rabbits and sheep. There was a station where you could make your own scarecrow, paint a pumpkin and ride the ponies.

















There were also several different kids play areas, including one that looked like Noah’s ark.

We had so much fun and the weather was perfect – not too cold, not too hot. We got there late in the morning, ate lunch there and then headed back home for a nap! Lauren had a lot of fun and we got some pretty cute pictures, too.