LATE NITE @ the VARSITY TOMORROW!!!!

Mark your calendars, write it on your hand, set your cell phone alarm.....On September 27th (that's TOMORROW!!!)Late Nite (college and young professionals ministry at Healing Place Church) is having church at the Varsity Theatre near LSU at 8pm!! Yes, you heard me right...we are having church in a bar.This night is targeted especially those who won't normally step into the walls of a church, so bring everyone you know!! You must be 18 to enter (sorry, that's the Varsity's Rule) Obviously, there will be NO alcohol available.

We really hope to see you there!!!

P.S. Only ten days til blissful wedded matrimony!

It's raining showers!!!!

We traveled to the massive city (ha ha ha) of Kingwood, TX for Chris' family's shower this weekend. We had SO much fun- I think everyone needs that much clean fun pretty regularly. Speaking of "clean", among all the glorious prizes we got, our favorite was our amazing vacuum cleaner!!!
Chris also thoroughly enjoyed an oven mitt.

Sunday we got to go to the Astros game and sit in a SUITE. Talk about the high life! I am spoiled rotten now. That was my first MLB game and I got to sit in an air conditioned suite with amazing seats and all the food and ice cream you can eat! And I feel like Dr. Seuss because I just rhymed.

Anyway, we always have the best time when we go visit Chris' parents. And his brother and sister are really amazing kids. I wish they didn't live so far. I mean 4.5 hours isn't a lifetime away, but I would so love to just be able to pop in over there anytime. The good news is that we get to see them every month from July-December of this year. Some visits are shorter than others, but they are all a blessing. I can't wait til Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years when we get to spend a little more time there.

I have been a really unfaithful blogger lately and haven't even blogged about my girl shower a couple weeks ago. It was just girls in the wedding and family, but Gena Bohl and Sarah did an amazing job putting it together. We had SO much fun and everything looked and tasted great.
Gena made me the coolest shadow box. I like it more than all the stuff that we registered for! I got to spend time hangin' with the girls and just loving my life. It was a really great night!

I am constantly amazed how much people have gone above and beyond for us. My showers and parties have been more than I could have ever dreamed of. But the best reality of all is that I get to marry my dream man in just 16 days. It's truly a wonderful life!

Renewing of faith, hope, and joy!

So, I haven't been the most faithful blogger, but I feel like so much has been going on that I don't know where to start.
Last weekend we had some incredible services at HPC. Pastor spoke about the time between God's promises and when we see the results in our lives. The life of Joseph is such an inspiration. My hope was renewed.
Then Sunday night the church came together for Vision Night. Pastor Dino spoke on where we've been, where we're going and the plans God has in store for us. Many of us were prayed over and it was an intense, incredible night. The worship went on and on and so did our praises for the King. My faith was renewed.
Yesterday, Chris and I kind of had a break-through day. With only a little over 3 weeks until W-Day, the Devil has been attacking us like CRAZY. We pretty much reached a point where we had to make a decision to grab hold of God and let go of the lies. Can I tell you, it was liberating! My joy was renewed.
I am blessed so abundantly. As Mike would say, I'm too blessed to be depressed. I love my man, my family, my job, my friends, and most of all my Jesus. It's a great day to be alive!

One month til it's official!!!

Ok guys, it's really coming... in just one month-30 days- I will be Mrs. Christopher Matt. What an honor! I am so pumped. We have known for 10 months now that we were getting married and we are just ready for it to happen.
Anyway, going in a whole different direction, I just want to let everyone know to get your tail out to Late Nite tonight. This entire series is stirring up great things in people, but this message tonight is going to be just SLAMMIN'! Mike is going to keep it real, where we are, things we all need to hear. From the brief look at the notes I got, I know this is going to rock some worlds and change some lives and I am pumped! It starts at 8:30pm at the Highland Campus. I get up at 5am and I know it's tough to be out late, but consider this an investment. You WILL see returns.
Hope to see you all tonight!!!!!!!!! Help me make Jesus famous :)

Happy Birthday, Chris Kinney!!

This weekend was all about my amazing little brother, Chris. Well, maybe I shouldn't call him "little". He stands a whole head taller than me, but he will always be little to me!! Saturday was his eighteenth birthday, and boy did I feel OLD! I am so proud of the man he has become. He is loving, kind, considerate, unselfish, sensitive, loyal, smart, humble... the list goes on. I feel so blessed to have a brother who isn't scared to give me a hug and a kiss in public and tell me he loves me. I see so many teenagers who blow off their family,curse, drink, smoke, rebel- but Chris really has a good head on his shoulders. I think it must come from living with me and my mom for so long. He saw the Hell I put her through when I was in high school, but he also saw my transformation and our love spilled out on him. Plus he has an amazing father to watch and learn from. My dad has always been very present and active in his life, which is something a lot of kids these days don't have. My brother is so very special to me. I have always been proud of him, but never as proud as I am now. I was so glad I was able to spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings celebrating him and his life. He deserves a party everyday. Ok, I just love that kid!

Moving on... my other Chris (fiance) and I had an amazing weekend together, too. We were pretty much together all day everyday except when we were sleeping (obviously!!). He always comes and serves at church on the weekends when I work services. This weekend I stage directed alone for weekend services for the first time. Kim was a huge help and I was able to get the job done! It was just what I needed- I was definitely not confident in my "Five Star Girl" abilities, but after 4 smooth services, I feel much stronger now in that area. Chris was with me serving, worshiping, and praying his heart out. He truly displayed the love of Christ this weekend- he gave up our Saturday night with friends to go be with my brother on his birthday, he came and served at four services without ever being asked to do so, he cooked me a slammin' breakfast yesterday, and treated me with kindness, compassion, patience and true love all weekend. We grew so much over the last few days both as a couple and as individuals in our walks with Christ. I am so glad God has put united us to do life together. There's no one else I would rather have by my side.

One more thing, I gotta give a shout out to my loyal blog readers... especially my boy Eric. He served it up this weekend at all the services and was a great "podium pusher." He and his beautiful daughter always brighten my Sunday mornings with their bright smiles and huge hearts. Keep up the servant's spirit :)

And by the way, only one month and one day til I become Mrs. Matt!!!