What a great job!!

Softball update....We finished 3rd in the state!!! Not a bad acccomplishment, I would say.

Now, it's time to get focused on school. I am going up on Tuesday to check things out and see exactly how much work I have to do in the next two weeks. I will start making a list of the things that need to be done. I am going to try to do a little at a time, so I don't get so overwhelmed. I usually do that to myself each year and this year I am not going to let myself get all stressed. I'm not, I'm not!!!! I also will get my first look at my class list. Because I am a looping teacher, I start over every two years with a new class. This is the year for that. I have prayed about these kids already. I know God will place on that list the kids who need me most. We will be meant for each other. Even those difficult kids will be with me for a reason. It's for me to teach them to read and count and add and subtract numbers, but it's more than that. I have the responsiblity to be a good example for them. They have to learn to get along well with each other. They have to learn that they have to follow rules and that there are consequences for not. They are so funny..I can hear them saying things to each other that I say. They sure keep me accountable.

That is the exciting part about starting over this year... getting to know a new group of kids and their families and seeing the growth in each one over the next two years. After all the years of teaching(13), it's still a great job!!

Maybe I am looking forward to going back to school...maybe!!

Sandy C

Where has the summer gone?

I was in Wal-mart and saw that school supplies were out on the shelves and backpacks are hanging everywhere. I got a big knot in my stomach. That is not a good sign!!! I think it means that our summer is almost over and I have to go back to work soon.

I really haven't thought too much about school this summer. That is a change for me. I have too many other things to keep me busy....MY CHILDREN!!! That is not a complaint. I am happy they are involved in so many activities. Wil has stayed busy with the youth group at church. Of course, Mollie has had softball. That doesn't count our vacation and show heifers.(That is another story, I will have to share later!) I wouldn't trade this time in our lives for anything. I hate seeing them grow up so fast in front of my eyes. Wil is going to Jr. High!!!!

I guess, after the state tournament next week, I will start working on getting things ready for all my new kindergarteners. Once I start going up to the school, I will really start feeling depressed. Oh well!! Life goes on......

Sandy C

I love my church!

Our church is such a great place! It took us almost 13 years to get to FBC Athens, but we made it and are so thankful that God has led us to a place where we have connected so well with so many people who share our faith.

Wade and I both were brought up in church. My parents took my sisters and I to church every time the doors were open. (Wade's story is similar, but this is my blog!) Not only did we go to church, but my parents led by example. My mom always worked in the church and constantly cared for other members. She has such a pure heart! My dad didn't always go to church with us on Sunday, because he worked, but when he was able, he was there. We were expected to have a relationship with Christ and we all three made a profession of faith at various ages. I went to the same church regularly from the time I was born until I went off to college. Regretfully, I didn't get involved in a church in College Station. Then, Wade and I got married and moved to Huntsville and never got involved there either.

When we moved back to Athens in 1994, we started back to church where I had gone all my life. I know now it was because that is where I felt the most comfortable. We felt connected at times, but as the years went by, people our age seemed to be dwindling. We had no social interaction with anyone at church, except my parents!! The children's ministry was almost non-existent. We were involved, but I always felt like a big piece of the spiritual puzzle was missing.

We started praying about what we needed to do. We were very torn because we had history at the church, especially me. I felt like my parents would be upset and I have real issues with big changes. We knew the Lord was leading us somewhere else, we just didn't know where, as difficult as that was. In January 2005, we got a call from a couple we know that are members of FBC Athens. They invited us to a small group party. As soon as I got off the phone, I knew it was time to visit a new church. It was God's way of answering out prayer. We went to the party, and had a great time. Remember, we were not used to having any kind of social interactions with couples our age! We decided that we would visit the next Sunday. (It actually was several Sundays later, because I got sick and then we were out of town.) Anyway, I waited until the Saturday night before to call and tell my parents. Of course, my mom cried, but they both understood. With Wade's hand in my back forcing me into the door, we went to Sunday School. The kids were apprehensive, but they both had a great time. Our Sunday School class ended up being just what we were looking for. We couldn't have felt more welcome. I guess the rest is history, you could say! We didn't visit any other churches because we knew we had found our "home" as soon as we walked in the door.

Since then, we have been blessed with many new friends, spiritual growth and maturity, wonderful opportunities for service, mission work in Mexico, a great small group that meets and genuinely cares about one another, we have seen Wil come to know the Lord, the children ministry is expanding, our Sunday School is the best, but most of all we have a renewed faith!

God is so good to use other people to accomplish his purpose for us. He used our friends to make the phone call to invite us to a party. He used the leaders of our SS class to make us feel welcome, because He knew how hard it was for me to go in the door the first morning, He used the pastor and other staff members to speak to us spiritually. The list could go on forever.

Wow! What a ride! We truly believe we have arrived at the place God had intended all along.

Sandy C

Go Diamonds! Go!

The softball saga continues....Mollie just finished up district play with the Diamonds, the team that picked her up for playoffs. They won the tournament!! This means we will move on to the state playoffs week after next. We have had so much fun this week watching the girls play. Mollie has done a great job. She hit the ball very well. Her fielding still needs some work, but she is improving.

The team won the first two games very easily. The third game was a different story and the game came down to our last at bat. They were able to win by one run. The night before the game Mollie and I prayed that the team would do well and try their best. The next day we prayed right before we left. After the game, I reminded Mollie that God answered our prayers. She said,"Coach prays with us too, before every game, didn't you know that?" I was so touched. I was so impressed that he led the girls in prayer
there at the ballfield. The next night we played the same team again for first place. Before the coach let the girls go out on the field, all 13 girls had their heads bowed in prayer. Not only is he teaching the girls wonderful softball skills, but he is teaching them to build their faith in God. I am so glad that Mollie is learning that she can depend on our Heavenly Father for anything, including a softball game.


The Lord has blessed her with a great summer! Her confidence is off the charts. Not only did she get picked up by the first place team, but she has had a part in helping them win a place in the state tournament. I am so thankful for Jeffrey Fulgham for giving my daughter so much confidence in herself, giving her the chance to see how it feels to win, teaching her how to be a team player, and most importantly, how to rely on God and to thank Him for answered prayers.

Go, Diamonds! Go!