Okay, so, I have only five days left in my current hole, before I move out and on to possibly the nicest place I've ever lived! I still have so much to do! The biggest bulk of it has been taking all of my music off of my office computer. I have a lot that I've bought from iTunes in the last year and a half, so I've got to put it all on CD. I SOOOOOOOOOO didn't realize how much I had!! (But I guess that's a good thing though, right?)

We've nearly got all of our clothes packed up, most of the kitchen, most of the office...this week will be finishing and cleaning. Oh, and training the new lodge manager.... hmm...

Today was our farewell service. It was, um, interesting. Probably the most memorable thing was during Captain's prayer over us. He had the whole congregation come up and lay hands on us in prayer. Well, Jamonte (AKA Grimmace) was stuck behind folks, but wanted to touch us so badly that he started CLIMBING OVER THE PEWS to reach us! And of course, he was doing this AFTER Captain had already started praying! So in the middle of the prayer, Capt. stops and yells for Jamonte to quit climbing on the furniture. Priceless!!

We're having a party on Friday night for the kids and their families. Hopefully it will be a good time. Brian and I spent the afternoon making friendship bracelets for each of the kids. And, we made them the colors of the Salvation Bracelet...so we're loving and equipping them all at once!! During the party, we'll do a little devo., have some supper and then turn on the tunes!! Of course, though, they'll have to get outta here pretty quick, since we're leaving at 6am on Saturday! (What a God-awful time, huh?!?!) But, it will be worth it. I can't wait to get to Jackson!!! Like, for real!!!!!

I just keep thanking God for His faithfulness. It's so amazing to me how much He continues to provide for our needs day after day after day. He really is amazing! I am so humbled and grateful that He has chosen us for such a great work. Not just in Jackson, but as officers. It is a wonderful feeling to feel chosen, and welcomed.

I think that's all in my brain. Oh, that and, "Hmm...I sure wish folks would leave us more comments!"

Great Grace,
Mrs. Leonard

Yup...I'm posting again. Mostly because I like proving to all in Xanga-land that I'm not dead!!

Anywho...just a few random bits from my noggin...

-SOOOOO excited about going to Jackson. 14 days!!
-"Excited" is a really tame word for my feelings towards Jackson!
-Anyone ever seen the movie "Mean Girls" with Lindsay Lohan (pre-Coke, of course)? Well, she talks quite frequently about "verbal diarrhea"...it really IS a condition!! One that some of my counterparts have an extreme case of! It's really wearin' my poor little nerves out!
-My mamma burned her leg with her curling iron...now, I'm sad that she's hurt, but, the whiney e-mail I got today was priceless!
-I'm sooooo looking forward to working for the Showers. They seem like amazing people-very Godly, sincere people. I need that.
-I'm also looking forward to working with Ms. www.xanga.com/ashpash05 . She seems like a cool cat--and a Hog fan! I'll have more ammo against Brian and David!!
-In packing, I found and re-read my essays from Comp I...again, I'm startled by my talent. One of these days, I'll actually do something with it...
-Gotta go buy more Rubbermaid totes. All the cardboard boxes we have here are quite small, and I'm sorry-I am SOOO not into buying cardboard! Besides, this will make packing the truck easier--cardboard ain't got wheels!
-Tomorrow's Friday...HALLELUJAH!
-Found out that the Showers scored us a BRAND NEW LEATHER SECTIONAL from the Thrift Store...bonus!! And a front-load washer/dryer set! Yahoooooooooooooooo!!!
-We'll have a pool at the apartment--can't wait!!
-Have I told ya'll that we sold our fish, Michael Jackson? Yeah...tank and all for twenty bucks! Downfall is that we sold it to the family of kids that's known for killing pets...they've had about seven in the last year, and all have died. They all blame it on the youngest who's 3!
-I really like Jim Brickman's music...it's quite soothing in stressful situations. And goes great with hot tea and my BRAND NEW LEATHER SECTIONAL!
-...oh, and it goes with my new fireplace, too!
-Can I just say that God is a good God? I mean, really. For a long time now, I've really hurt and cried when I heard the Casting Crowns song "Praise You In This Storm", and now, on the other side of that, I realize just how omnipotent God is! How all-powerful He is! I heard that song on K-Love today and cried out of joy! It is just such a beautiful offering to Him, and seeing how faithful He is to His beloved...man...it just blessed my socks off!
-...okay, maybe not my socks-I'm not wearing any! Let's go with flip-flops!
-I have such a great husband! He's being so wonderful and encouraging to me with all the packing. See, I always have in mind that I can accomplish things waaaaay quicker, but individually wrapping all of our glasses, stemware and Whatie-china has been a little more tedious than expected!! Along with everything else!
-When Brian's Daddy and Mal-Mal left on Wednesday, their Saturn was FULL of stuff we gave away! (Including the Becki-shelf, Mom!)

Okie-dokie...I think I'm going to turn in for the night. I'm not super tired, but I know I need to get that way--quick!

Great Grace,
Mrs. Leonard

Yep. That's right...we're moving!

On Sept. 21, we'll be moving to Jackson, MS to be the Corps Assistants. It's been good here in the Bluff, but everything eventually comes to an end.

Please continue to pray for us through this transition--we'll need it!! And if ya'll know any single guys, we're looking for a replacement for us in the shelter!

Great Grace,
Mrs. Leonard

Cleaning pictures off my camera, I came across these...enjoy!!

Brian -- doesn't he look like those little mushroom guys in Super Mario??

Dan (AKA "Black" in the blue hat) and Dustin -- our 2 guys that went to Conservatory.

Jamonte...one of my favorites. His nickname is "Grimmace"...you know, the purple character from McDonald's!

Jerrance...surprisingly, he's the one with the most energy!

Kim & Teddy on the way home from YC's this year

Cody, Teddy's little brother...for plenty of stories about him, check out www.xanga.com/MaryInAMarthaWorld

Gotta run.

Great Grace,
Mrs. Leonard

*Oh yeah...our tests for training are in the mail...we should get to take them week after next (once VBS is over). Pray!!!

Okay, as a COMMENT on my page, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Don't send a message, leave a COMMENT. Next, re-post this bulletin and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. Repost as "memories.