Blessed by SAINTS!!!

This is a picture of my lovely Grandmother!!

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,

fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,

and win, with them the victor's crown of gold.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Hello friends!! This verse is from a hymn that we sing on All Saints Day in our church to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have gone before us. For today...I think SAINTS is the theme! The New Orleans Saints have a big game tonight (as much as I love the Titans, I did grow up watching the Saints!), but I am especically celebrating my Grandmother, Carrie Block, who would have turned 84 today!!! There are not enough words to describe this woman, but if I had to pick one, it would be STRONG! She was a tiny woman, but boy she was tough as nails! She absolutely loved Chris too. I will never forget when I started dating Chris, she would call me and before asking how I was doing, she wanted to know all about Chris!! I knew she approved of him...she didn't have to tell me she did! Anyway, the reason I chose this verse to share is because my Grandmother was a fighter until the very end of her life on this earth. As I think about Chris this week, I think about how exciting, yet tiring this week is going to be. Pray that Chris will put up a good fight and stay STRONG through the 108 holes he plays! (YES, he will be playing 108 holes!! WHEW!!) Pray that he will remain calm throughout all of this and that he will continue to glorify God by using all of his talent to the best of his ability. This is it! He has worked so hard this year and we remain blessed with what God has given us. No matter the outcome of this week, God is good and we give all the praise to Him! He has provided richly in all aspects of our lives and we just look forward to what He has in store for us! Thanks for all of your continued support! We continue to be FAITHFUL in His will for our lives!! I think that is it for now, but keep checking back! It is going to be a great week!!!! Much love from Nashville!!!!

Waiting Patiently.....

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

As most of you know, I work in our church Kindergarten. As I walk by the music room, the children are starting to practice for the Christmas performance. I have heard them practicing this hymn. I just love it so much because it truly represents us longing for Christmas, the birth of Jesus! For Chris and I, it is probably safe to say that Advent, the season of anticipation and preparation for the birth of Christ has come at the most appropriate time, or maybe I should say that Q-school has fit right in to this season of anticipation and preparation. It is Sunday night, and Chris left this morning. I am DYING to pack my suitcase and get to the warm weather to watch him play. Since I am usually not with him at a tournament, I am filled with so much joy that I will actually get to be with him at one of the most important, yet trying events in his career thus far. But here I sit....waiting patiently....waiting for Thursday when I can get on that plane and be with Chris during this final stage of what he has worked so hard for all year....waiting patiently to see God's plans for our lives unfold.....waiting patiently. Chris is in great spirits!! We are thrilled to have this opportunity and know that it is only through God that all of this is possible. So as we go about our lives during this time of waiting, may we stop for just a few minutes each day and thank God for all of the blessings He has given to us. Each time I get impatient, I try to remember to stop and thank God and ask Him to allow me to just wait patiently. My mom has always told me that God's timing is perfect.......so here I sit, WAITING PATIENTLY! Please stay tuned for more tomorrow! Much love from Nashville for now!

WE GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE TO YOU GOD!!!

Give thanks to God the Lord; upon His Name now call.

Make known among the people on earth what He has done for all.

Sing praise to Him, now sing; His wondrous acts proclaim.

Rejoice, all you who seek the Lord; come glory in His Name.

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and give thanks to our Lord, the giver of life, we remember all that He has done for us and blessed us with. First and foremost, we would like to thank God for allowing us to have an opportunity to live in a manner in which we can glorify Him in our daily lives. Our lives would be dark without Christ and we feel very blessed that He has guided us along the way! Chris and I would especially like to give thanks this year for the wonderful family and friends that have walked with us along this journey. You have no idea how lonely and dreary it would be without all of you taking time out of your busy lives to care for us and to help us out along the way. I would also like to give thanks to our armed forces, those overseas and here in our homeland, for protecting us and allowing us to live the free life that we all live! I would especially like to thank my brother, Daniel, for serving our country in the Navy on the USS Tennessee. Thanks for your hard work and dedication to keep us all safe from harm! We love you! We are truly blessed by God and continue to be blessed each and every day. May we always be responsive to the needs of others and may we continue to serve God in a manner that is always pleasing to Him! Chris will be leaving this Sunday for 3rd stage, and I will be joining him a week from tomorrow. Pray that he will continue to play his heart out and that God will just continue to give him the opportunity to reach his dreams!! May God bless us in all that we say, think, and do! Much love from Nashville...and a Happy, Happy Thanksgiving to your family from ours!!!!

What a FUN weekend!!!!

Group Shot with Joe Purdy!!! We had a blast!!

We are so excited!! Yay 3rd stage!!!!

Chris and his caddie, Mike!

We are still so excited about 3rd stage!!! I thought I would post some pictures of our celebration outing!!! Last night, Chris, his caddie, Mike and I went to see a GREAT musician that we LOVE!! His name is Joe Purdy....if you haven't heard of him, check him out! I must say my favorite song of his is "Ode to Sad Clown." He has a very unique sound, and he is a very nice person! Chris and Mike got to talk to him after the show, and I jumped in a picture with them! We actually also celebrated Mike's brother's 30th birthday!!! What a fun night!! This has been the best weekend!! Chris is going to the final stage, Ole Miss beat LSWHOOO, and we got to see Joe Purdy!! God is so good!!! We are just enjoying the time we have together before Chris leaves next Saturday!!! Also, we hope and pray that each of you have a very Happy Thanksgiving! May we be mindful of what God had given to us and blessed us with and may we thank Him for all that we have and are grateful for!!! Once I know more plans about travel and such for 3rd stage, I will post!!! May God bless you all!!! Much love from Nashville!!!!

THANKS BE TO GOD!!!!!!!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures for ever!!! Psalm 136:1

THANKS BE TO GOD!!!!! It is all in His glory that Chris has made it to the final stage of Q-school. We are blessed and God has answered many prayers. This week was filled with many emotions, but Chris rose to the occasion, with God's help. I have to say, I was pretty nervous myself, but I knew deep down that Chris would do it. We both just want to say THANK YOU to all of our family and friends who have called, emailed, prayed, and supported us these past few months. God has been so good to Chris and I, and we are just overjoyed and overwhelmed by the amount of people who have walked with us on this journey. As far as the final stage goes, Chris and I will be making all of the plans tomorrow. The plan right now is that he will leave next Saturday (Nov. 28), and I will probably go down the following Thursday. Final stage is Wednesday, Dec. 2nd to Monday, Dec. 7th, in West Palm Beach, FL. Once we have final plans nailed down and can figure out what is going on, I will be sure to post! Other than that, I don't have much more to report. We just feel so blessed that God has an awesome plan for us, and we look forward to whatever He has in store for Chris for the 2010 season. This has already been an AMAZING year, and we look forward to ending it on an even better note at 3rd stage!! May God bless us in all that we say, think, and do!! Much love from Nashville!!!

One more day!!!!!

Hello friends! Sorry for the late post!! One more day!!! Chris is hanging in there!! We remain so grateful for the opportunity and whatever God presents tomorrow, we are blessed! Blessed by God, blessed by our sponsor, blessed by caring family and friends, blessed that we are living the life God intends for us to live!!!! Thanks be to God and thanks to you all!!!! Much love to Nashville!!!!

Only 36 holes to go!!!!

Hello friends!! I talked to Chris a little while after he finished today. I don't think it was necessarily the day he was hoping for, but he still sounds GREAT!!!! The course was playing a little bit harder today...but like I have said before....Par is your friend!! Chris will be teeing off tomorrow morning at 9:50! Please pray that he will remain relaxed and finish this 2nd stage strong!! Pray that he will continue to enjoy himself and play his heart out!!! God is good and whatever happens is all in His hands!! We remain grateful for this opportunity and thank God for each of you!!! Stay tuned and Much love from Nashville!!!

Off to a GREAT start!!!!!

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.Live the life you have imagined.

-Henry David Thoreau

Hello friends!! I am happy to report that day one is DONE! Chris went out and played some great golf today!! I talked to him right when he finished and he just sounds so relaxed and he even said today was FUN!!! I guess so when you shoot a 66 and are tied for 3rd! He said that today he played a solid round of golf. With 7 birdies and 1 bogey, he said it was a great day weather wise for scoring low! (I hope that makes sense!) He did say that towards the end of the round he was hitting some putts that helped him birdie a few of the holes coming in. He loves the course he is playing and it really suits his game, so that helps a ton! Let's just pray that the weather will continue to be nice and that he will continue to have fun!! Chris also wanted me to tell everyone thanks for all the kind messages!! We are blessed to have so many people following and encouraging along the way!! Pray that Chris will remain relaxed and that he will continue to just enjoy this week! He can do it and he will do it!!! I think that is all I have to report tonight! We can not say thanks enough to all of you following!!! God is so good and we are constantly reminded how gracious He is by all of you!! I tell Chris every day that so many people believe in him!! May God bless each of you!!! Much love from Nashville!!

This is it!!!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6,7

I got off the phone with Chris a little while ago as I was headed to the gym and he was headed to a movie! Today was another great day of practicing and preparation! After a month of waiting from 1st stage, I think Chris is ready and thankful that 2nd stage is finally starting! He sounds very excited for this awesome opportunity and I am so excited that it all starts tomorrow! I forgot to ask Chris what the exact number is that they will take, but he said yesterday that he thought it might be the top 20 and ties. When I find out for sure, I will be sure to post it! Other than that, there really is not much to report. The scoring will be done like last time, so you can go to the link below to keep up with the scoring! Thanks to you all for your love and support!! God is good!! If you get a chance tomorrow, please pray for Chris and that he will have a calm heart!! Much love from Nashville and check back tomorrow night!!!

http://pgatq.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/pgatq9/event/pgatq925/contest/1/leaderboard.htm

2nd stage has arrived!!!

The King of love my Shepherd is,

Whose goodness faileth never,

I nothing lack if I am His

And He is mine forever.

Hello friends! What a day it has been! Chris and his caddie, Mike, left bright and early this morning for Georgia! I must say, I was glad to have Chris home for the weekend! We had a great time as one of his good friends, Josh Teater, came to stay with us...but now the time has come to buckle down for this next grueling stage! Chris got to Callaway Gardens around noon today and played 9 holes with a close friend and former teammate, Kyle Ellis. Kyle and Chris finished right next to each other at 1st stage, so I know they are so excited to be playing at the same location again! Chris seemed very excited when I talked to him and sounds great! I think the most important thing for him this week is just to take it one day at a time and to treat it like any other day on the golf course. As hard as that is, I fully believe Chris can do that and I believe that he has every ability to get through this stage! As of right now, Chris will tee off at 10:00 on Wednesday, and 9:00 on Thursday. It looks like if there is any rain at all this week, it will be very little! Please pray that Chris will just give it his very best and that he will just have a calm heart! Pray that he will have fun out there and just enjoy this amazing opportunity that God has provided for him. I know I say this often, but we truly are blessed. Chris has been blessed with talent from God and so many people believe in him. We are truly thankful for each of you. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives to walk with us on this exciting journey! I think that is all I have to write for now, but stay tuned! I will be posting each night this week! May God bless us in all that we think, say, and do! Much love from Nashville!!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow....

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

We sing this Doxology at the church where Chris and I attend. For me, that is one of the highlights of the service...just those few seconds we are singing. Often I find myself forgetting to just simply praise God for all of the blessings that we have been offered. As Chris prepares for this next stage of Q-school, I find myself getting anxious and just praying that he will play his heart out to reach his dreams...our dreams! During all of this, I continue to remember how blessed we are that Chris has been given this opportunity by God and the outcome of all of this year is in His hands! How amazing to know that God has great plans for our life! Chris had the opportunity to play Callaway Gardens today with a great friend from the Tarheel tour. He LOVES the course and is really happy that he went down to check it out before next week. He will head back tomorrow and practice for the remainder of the week. He will also get one more lesson before heading back to Georgia. Thanks again to all of you for your love and support. This journey would be very lonely without all of you! We are truly blessed by God!!! Much love from Nashville!!!

Callaway Gardens it is!!

Well, Chris got his 2nd stage location yesterday, and he got his first choice, which we are thrilled about! He is going to leave this Sunday (Nov. 8th) to go down for a few days and get used to the course. He will get a lesson this Friday, too! Each day he has been working hard and getting ready! He will probably come back to Nashville next Tuesday for the remainder of the week, and then head back to Georgia on Sunday, Nov. 15th for 2nd stage. Continue to pray that Chris will stay mentally focused and that he will just try to enjoy the next few weeks! This stage is the one to get through to get any Nationwide or PGA status! Chris is really looking forward to the opportunity to make it to 3rd stage! We will keep you posted closer to time, but check back over the next few weeks for occasional updates! May God bless each of you! Much love from Nashville!!!!