Seriously? Could he be any cuter?

We have spent the past 2/3 weekends in Athens, cheering on our Bulldogs. Luckily we were more successful this past Saturday. We are 3/3 on weekends with the Slaten's (insert Mandy's wedding between the two Game Day weekends), and that has blessed by heart immensely! L (above) learned to say my name this weekend. Whoa... that was awesome. He has been saying "Springer" for a couple of months, but now he can say "Ar Usan". I love it... I love this kid... I love the Slaten family.
I met Camille the summer before my freshman year in high school. I wish I had a picture I could post, but then again NO I DO NOT. I likely would be wearing something ridiculous in any picture from that era. Anyway, we became good friends that summer and have continued our friendship through many seasons of life. Then along came Aaron, and later Springer! The advice and counsel of this family became so important for us and for our marriage. And now, L is here! And we have a blast watching this little ball of energy! He makes us laugh!

I am so grateful for this family and for their love and guidance in my life.

Talented Friends

Almost 10 years ago a special friend walked into my life and into the Griffin's living room for summer Bible study. Laura Rogers (now Kirkland) came to Martha Bowman UMC to be one of our youth directors, the summer before my senior year. Even in that short time we were together in Macon, we became good friends, and I have many fun memories of painting, dancing, laughing with Laura.

Laura has more talent and creativity in her pinky finger than most folks do in their whole bodies! If you don't believe me (and even if you do), check our her new business Glory Haus. You can now buy her artwork online! I am really excited about this... and am praying for God's rich blessings for Glory Haus and that many lives would be touched by God's beauty so evident in Laura's art!

Mom

I am a very, very, very proud daughter. My mom is an incredible, beautiful woman, and I love her very much. This weekend she has taken her awesomeness to a whole new level...

MY MOM HAS A BLOG!

You can check her out on my list of links on the right.

She is traveling to Japan for 3 weeks in October. She was chosen from hundreds of teachers all over America to be a part of a special exchange program, and she's blogging to keep everybody updated. She actually participated in a similar program before I was born (and I think before Dad was in the picture) where she traveled to Ghana with a group of teachers to learn about the culture and ways to integrate that into education here in America.

My mom is so brave! And talented! (I could go on and on and on and on...)

Love you, Mom! And welcome to the blogging world!

I Love Athens

We took a quick day trip to Paradise, aka Athens, Georgia, Saturday. It was a wonderful day. Our friends Bryan and Meredith got married. I met them through Young Life, where I was one of their leaders at Oconee County High School. I remember helping Meredith get ready for the prom, and watching Bryan come and pick her up at Bart and Victoria's house. I remember her sharing her precious heart with me at Frontier Ranch. As I saw her walk down the aisle, a beautiful bride, tears streamed down my cheeks. I love these folks, and am SO honored to be in their life. And I am FIRED UP because they are coming to COLUMBUS! Bryan is on staff with Young Life here in Columbus, so Meredith will be coming as soon as they get home from honeymooning! YES!
I love Young Life weddings... it is so good to catch up with old friends. It is neat because I got to be a part of several "generations" of YL leaders since I was in Athens for such a long time. YL was my community, my best friends in Athens... I love being with them.
Also for lunch Springer took me to my all-time-favorite restaurant on the planet, DePalma's. It is an Italian place downtown. I had the special, Vegeterian Lasagna, and it was AMAZING! Three cheeses, mushrooms, artichokes, onions, green, yellow, and red peppers, and fried eggplant... booyah!
It was cool being in Athens on a non-Game Day weekend. We go to Athens most often for games, and I'd almost forgotten how a regular weekend felt. Now I remember... we love this town!

Sick Nasty

It's great to be a Georgia Bulldog!

Get up, little girl!

You can find my favorite Bible story in Mark 5:21-43. When I was a little girl, Mom would read this story to me from my "Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes". I loved it when she said "Get up, little girl!"

Brad preached today from this text, and I heard it in a whole new way.

Talitha cumi

He said that Talitha translated from the original language is more like how a parent says "Honey" or "Sweet girl" to a daughter.

Cumi, meaning "Wake up", reminded me of how I woke up when I was little. If Mom or Dad woke me up, they would say "Suz, it's a wonderful day!" So I grew up thinking that meant "Get up!" I remember spending the night with my friend Natalie and telling her and her mom "It's a wonderful day!" and they were like "OK... go back to sleep", and I was like "I said... it's a wonderful day!"

Sweet words from Jesus... sweet girl, arise... He's said it to me so many times.

I'm also reminded of an old David Wilcox song

Beloved, it is time for you to rise, time for you to rise.

Interested?

Hi friends!

I am thinking of making our blog "private"... aka you have to log in to view it. So, if you'd like to continue joining the Cain adventure, just email me laurasusancain@gmail.com or leave your email address in the comments below.

Thanks!