this one's for the boys

In honor of the beloved duck hunting season (coming this friday to a swamp near you) and also for the 2 most passionate duck hunters I've ever met, I've decided to teach you how to duck hunt here in southern Alabama. You ready for this? You'll be blown away by my extense knowledge I've learned in only a few months.

1. Find a swamp.


But not just any old swamp. You need some trees in the swamp.


2. Learn that ducks fly at sunrise and sunset. But around here, you can't really hunt at sunset b/c of some regulation that I don't know about. So, just trust me. Go in the morning.

3. You need these:


Chest waders. Because you have to walk in the swamp, in freezing cold weather and on top of the alligators (that supposedly "hibernate" at the bottom... that is until they wake up and bite your leg off).

4. Get a duck call. They say there's some sort of technique to doing it well, but I think you just blow in it. And no, just quacking like a duck won't work. :)

5. Grow a beard and paint your face like these guys. Don't know why. Just do it.

p.s. these are apparently the duck hunting gods- the duck commanders. Bless their wives. They have it worse than me and Megan. lol... just kidding boys! :)

6. Walk out in the swamp, be really still & shoot the ducks when they fly over. Then, convince someone to go get them & come home and eat breakfast.

The end. Aren't you impressed? Matthew taught me well, don't you think? :)

Not Me Tuesday

In reference to Donora's post and her nearly constant urging me to blog, here's my Not Me Tuesday.

Today, I DEFINITELY didn't eat 5, that's right, FIVE Hershey's miniature candy bars.



You see, it's just that it's been a long day, I feel like I didn't have a weekend since I worked, I'm stressed... um... what other excuses can I come up with to make this ok? Matthew says I'm the Queen of Excuses (even though he still hasn't bought me a crown), so I should be good at this.

At least it was mostly these:





I like to tell myself that these are fine to eat. You see, they ("they" not including dieticians and trainers, i'm sure) say this is HEALTHY chocolate. Yes, I said it's healthy. And if I'm trying to be healthy, I'd much rather eat this than some measley salad. Wouldn't you?

And isn't there something in it that's supposed to be linked to happy hormones? Did I make that up? Maybe... anyway, since THEY said it's healthy and THEY said it produces happy hormones, I figure that's a good way to stick to my diet and relieve some built up work stress at the same time. And Lord knows I need both.

Don't sit there and judge my calories. I NEED it. Yes, I really NEED it (Matthew!)! Ok, fine, maybe I don't really need it, but I definitely really want it.

hi. my name is emily and i have a problem. I'm addicted to Hershey's Dark Chocolate.

lately

looks like it's been a good 2 months since my last blog. wow... how the time flies when you're having fun! :) i don't know if i've been really busy and haven't had time to write anything, or just really bored and felt like there was nothing good to write. either way, it's the time of year where i can't remember what i did yesterday, much less remember to write a blog. but here's to a slow day at work where my cold meds are making me feel a little loopy...

i had a mild panic attack earlier this week because i realized it was already the second week in november. apparently i wasn't alone though, because of my close friends (who panicked about her 27th birthday) felt the same way. we talked for a while about where our lives have gone and how did we get so old. do you ever feel like everything is just kind of happening so fast and then you wake up and you're a grown-up? yeah. i feel like that. not a fan.

this time of year is super busy for everyone. add tons of PR work for my company and that's when you wake up in january and wonder where the holiday season went. at work, our time if full of volunteer work (mainly by me and 1 or 2 others since no one else wants to volunteer for ANYTHING), promotions, sponsored events, food drives, angel trees, donations, pictures, gift wrapping, press releases, new commercials, planning Christmas parties, etc. i think this may be the last weekend that i don't 'officially' have any plans before the chaos begins. see what i mean?

November 20-21: AACFCU sponsored football game at Troy. Have to be there ALL DAY. Missing a good friend's baby shower. Followed by birthday party that night.

November 25-28: Thanksgiving at the lake. Black Friday (no worries on this one though b/c i have no $$ to shop). AUBURN vs ALABAMA football game. Baby shower (should be fun though.)...... and.... are you ready for this??? the start of duck season!!! dun, dun, dun!!! Matthew will be so excited, he'll probably pop right out of his skin.

December 1-5: Gift wrapping for the House of Ruth. Mary Kay party. Board of Director Christmas Party-- thank goodness it's going to be open bar. i have a feeling I'll need it.

December 10-12: Daleville Chamber Christmas party that we plan, host & clean up after. Organizing all Christmas donations for work and probably begging more people for volunteer work.

... and i can't think about the rest just yet. i know it could be much worse, but today I'm already sleepy and it seems like I'll never sleep again. oh yeah, and i almost forgot that i have to buy Christmas presents too. geez....

I believe in Auburn and love it!

I FINALLY made it back to the lovliest village on the Plains last weekend for the Auburn and Louisianna-Tech game. Even though I've been gone for 3 years, it still feels like home and I still love it just as much as the day I left.

Only problem... I felt so old!!! Looking around at the students there made me feel ancient, but it also made me appreciate my time there. I loved being in Auburn. The school, the town, the people-- it just feels like home. Even more so than my actual hometown. I guess it feels that way because I think that's where I truly grew up. That's where I figured out who I was and what I truly believed in. Don't get me wrong, there were some hard times and a lot of things I shouldn't have done, but I learned A LOT. The process of becoming an adult and finding out what life is all about can sometimes change who you thought you were. I am so blessed to have gone through that in such a wonderful place and surrounded by so many people.

Me and Matthew tailgated with Auburn friends at the Samford Walking Trail. Lots of good conversations and a few sprained ankles took place on that trail. Definitely good to be back.

Jess and Scott: Two of my very best friends from Auburn. I lived with Jessica for the first 3 years I was at Auburn. Then, she decided she should graduate (dumb idea, Jess) and leave me. Funny story about how these two met.... I met Scott at a friend's wedding. We were both in the wedding party and Scott was my escort. Scott asked me out on a date and we went out a couple times in Auburn. He's a super sweet guy, but we just didn't click. He would come over to our apartment to hang out with Jess and I, and he and Jess hit it off almost immediately. They're perfect for each other, and yes, I tell them that I'm responsible for their wonderful life together.

Just a fun Auburn picture. I still get goose bumps and scream at the top of my lungs everytime the eagle flies and the team runs out on the field. It's my happy place. :) haha

Me and Matthew again. I'm so thankful he puts up with my Auburn obsession. He even lets me sing the fight song, the Alma Mater and Glory, Glory to Ole Auburn to him. He even let me tell him the AU creed and only told me I was a moron once. lol

Speaking of the Auburn creed... it's probably my favorite thing ever.

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I
earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all. I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.

I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in
Auburn and love it.

-George Petrie (1945)

act on the promise

I never blog enough to write 2 posts in one day, but today has been one of those days where God has been all over the place and in everything I do or see. When things like that happen, you can't help but share. I decided to google the song Jennifer had in her status that I mentioned in the last post, and came across the song and the lyrics. It's called "While I Wait" by John Waller. Apparently, it's in the movie Fireproof (which I haven't seen so I don't know the story behind it), and I read where it's about the guy waiting on his wife to forgive him and see the change in him so they can get back together. Anyway... that's beside the point of this blog.

Check out this article I came across during my search. I don't know much about the site, but so far I'm a fan. This guy discusses the question of how can we wait on God and still move ahead. Very much worth reading. He posts a verse where God calls Abraham to leave his home and settle in somewhere new. Here's the God thing coming in... I visited Harvest Church in Dothan this past Sunday for the first time (and loved it) and guess what the message was on? Yep, on the same thing. Same story of Abraham and taking steps of faith and trusting God along the way.

You see, when God called Abraham to move, he basically would be moving somewhere he knew nothing about. Didn't know anyone. Didn't have any land. Just picked up and left. On top of that, God didn't reveal to him the details of what was in store. Just told him the promise of what was to come. So, Abraham channeled his Nike future and Just Did it. He moved and just trusted God along the way, never knowing the ending, but knowing that God would fulfill His promise. The point of the message was that sometimes God calls us to take steps in obedience without knowing the outcome or the ending of the story. He calls us to trust him and have faith- regardless if we know what's going to happen or not. Taking steps of faith and obedience while holding on to the promise. Action first. Details later.

For me, it's so hard to do this. I want to know what's going to happen or if I am going to be able to deal the difficulties of the process. I know that God has good things in store, but what's going to happen in the meantime? Fact is, we should act on God's promise and trust that He'll take care of anything else. New goal for me-- act on faith and promise.

My mom told me something a long time ago and always remember it when situations arise that require you to wait. She said she always wished for writing on the wall, for God to just spell things out so that she could easily see them and make no mistakes. Then, a friend told her,

"Writing on the wall requires no faith."

Hmm...something to think about. Very true I think. It's easy to follow writing on a wall. Acting in obedience never knowing what's ahead, not so much.

Ok, I think I'm done for the day. Two blogs in one day... whew, I don't know if my brain can handle it. :)

Even God Uses Facebook

I don't know why I'm always a little surprised when God answers my prayers. It's not that I think He doesn't hear me, or doesn't care or isn't planning on answering them, but it always catches me a little off guard. I'm working on not being surprised because I know He promises me good things, but I love the sense of encouragement and peace everytime I find those suprises.

The past couple days have been extrememly difficult for me. Just some relationship issues that I want to work out, but trying to figure out how to do that amongst the hurt and anger. So, last night I prayed that God would take control, let me stop worrying about it and work out the situation. I told God that I really wanted this situation to work, but ultimately I knew that He knew what was best for me. I asked for help to WAIT on Him and His direction. After that, I prayed that I would finally be able to sleep and get some rest, and of course, slept wonderfully and woke up completely refreshed.

Now comes the fun part...

This morning before work, I was taking a look at Facebook in an effort to keep my mind busy, and came across a verse that Nicholas Butler had shared.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the
Lord." Psalm 27:14

It was exactly what I needed to hear to start my day. Then, in another slow moment I was peeking at Facebook again and found this status update from my friend Jennifer:

"Jennifer is waiting on the Lord and I am hopeful, though it is painful,
that I will wait. While I'm waiting I'll serve. I will worship. I won't loose
faith. I'll move ahead bold and confident."

Again, I was a little surprised but totally comforted and encouraged that God was using Facebook friends to tell me what I needed to hear. It puts a huge smile on my face and gives me the peace to continue to wait on Him.

So for now, I'm waiting. I'm worshiping. I'm serving. I'm being strong and taking courage. I'm not loosing faith and moving ahead confidently knowing that God has fabulous things in store for me. :)

Billfish Tournament

Matt and I recently went to PCB for the Billfish Tourney held at Baypoint. So much fun! I will definitely have to make a trip back next year. It rained out our fishing trip Saturday, but we still had a fun afternoon at Shell Island and riding on Matt's boat.

This is Matt shoveling water out of his boat after we got caught in the storm.















This is the famous "Lil Mystery," Matt's boat.