HIP! HIP! HOORAY!

So, if you could see me right now...you'd see that I have the biggest smile ever on my face! We just got in from Tioga, Louisiana where my husband and I attended classes, and went before the board so he could get his ministerial license with the state of Louisiana. He passed and will probably wear a path from our front door to the mailbox until the original license comes in.

I had a blast in all the classes they offered for the wives yesterday! While the men were busy taking their test, we had classes on subjects such as handling stress in the ministry, using our time on things that matter, counseling people, loving people, and on maintaining a balanced life and family lifestyle while helping others. I left with so much knowledge put into my head that I could not hardly sleep last night when we arrived at our aunt's house. My head was so full, that my mouth couldn't move fast enough to tell my husband all the things I had learned. He told me that I woke him up several times talking in my sleep. Guess I kept remembering things all night.

I sat amazed at some of the things that transpired yesterday and some of the stories I heard. We met so many new people and even met some we had known for years and not been able to see much. As tired as I was by the time we met the board around 7pm, I was so refreshed emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

We had a young lady in our class that was from Bulgaria. As I sat across from her, and talked with her, she seemed as any other normal young lady...until she gave her story! She had moved here to the States to attend school, and met the man who is now her husband. He introduced her to church and to Jesus. She began to tell us how that her dad was a prince in her country and extremely wealthy. She told how when she was young, she had to have body guards everywhere she went to protect her. She became so tired of the lifestyle she had grown up with, her father had many women in his life because of his power, and he kept the children with him at his home, with servants and bodyguards to watch them. To make a long story short, when she came to the states, and learned of Jesus and how He had died for her, she began to go to church and was filled with the Holy Ghost. To hear her become so excited about the peace that God's spirit brought to her life made me ashamed at how sometimes I take Him and His love and His spirit for granted!

She described it in the greatest way. She said, "I've had the incredible riches, all the bodyguards, the finest clothes, jewels, and things money can afford...but nothing or NO THING can compare to the peace and joy I have now. I'd rather be broke and penniless or barely making it and know God's love and salvation that I feel today!"

I promise you there was not a dry eye in the room, and we all begin to take a moment to reflect on how great His love for us really is and how privileged we are to experience it! I don't think I'll ever forget Nadia!

Now, you know I had my camera in my purse...but believe it or not, I was so busy and so consumed with everything going on that I forgot to take pictures until we were all sitting around and milling around waiting for our turn to meet the board. I only have a few pics to post...

This one is of Anthony and a friend he met sitting in the coffee room chatting and waiting.

This is one of the rooms some of us will never forget! We made some very strong bonds in this room. It's amazing what six couples find to share and talk about when stressed and waiting for several hours! I'm just hoping that what was said and done in this room...STAYS in this room!

Anthony chatting with one of his and his family's long time minister friends, Rev. Hennigan, who happens to be one of the board members! ;-)

So, to say we had a great time would be an understatement. I cannot wait till we go before the board again in one year to get his next level of license! I'm looking forward to it.

And, if you're still reading this...This next picture is a picture of the car we test drove AND BOUGHT! today on the way home...and are heading back to Alexandria, Louisiana in two days to pick up. I'll be going to do all the insurance paper work tomorrow and smiling the whole way! I am so excited. It's a Chrysler Pacificia...fully loaded. And, it's MY car. Only problem is, I had to promise to keep it clean. Yeah, that might be a problem with me and the 4-yr old! I only promised to TRY and keep it clean. I feel a road trip coming on...