Welcome Home!

He's Home!!! They arrived in Atlanta Saturday at 9:20 am.

Delta has this really neat feature on their website, where you track flights. And when I say track, I mean you see where the plane is, the altitude, how long they have been in flight, and estimated time till it lands at it's destination. I was looking to see where they were almost all day!

I didn't get to pick him up at the airport, but I picked him up at the church. It was so good, and emotional, to see him. I know his trip was only 8 days, but it was long enough for me to miss him BAD! After packing both Collin and Josh's stuff into my car...we headed to Chick Fil A, they we STARVING and craving American food. We took the food home, and they told me stories about the adventures in Africa. Collin brought me back some good stuff! I got 2 necklaces and a bracelet. He also brought back candle holders, a craving, an ashtray, and he received as a gift from CESA, a book of scenic Africa and a craving of Africa.

Saturday night, we stayed at home, except to go get take out! It is good to have him home!!!

News from Africa!

I heard from Collin today! First he called at 8:30am (2:30pm Africa time). Although we only talked for like 2 minutes, it was good to hear his voice.

Then, I got an email from him around 10:00am, saying:

Hey Baby, i'm sending you a couple of pics only because something goes wrong when we try to send more. one is of me and one is of the church we went to Sunday. It's been amazing so far. Some of the food is good at some restraunts we have been to, but some is rough. Everything is going really well so far. We will go to the market tomorrow to get some merchandise. The missionaries are really amazing, it's been cool just talking to them and hearing how they live. The teenagers are also really cool.I miss you and can't wait to see you! I love you!!

And then there was 1.

Collin arrived in Africa this evening. I got the call from one of our pastors around 6:15 saying all was well. Yesterday was a very emotional day! But, I am so excited about his trip.

Today I did a little retail therapy. First, I went to Merle Norman and bought a few new pieces of Vera Bradley. Then off to the mall. I got some really good deals from Old Navy, got my Easter dress at Gap, and some other miscellaneous items.

This evening I ate dinner with Mom and Dad a 2 ladies that they ride with. It was nice to visit with them.

Tomorrow is Easter. I am going to church and then to lunch with mom and 2 of my cousins. Then tomorrow evening we are going to have dessert at the cafe at Serenbe.

On another note...We got the COMPUTER and my DIAMOND EARRINGS PAID OFF!

A Wedding and a Tornado...well, Tornadoes.

So this weekend was EVENTFUL!
Friday night was the rehearsal. Everything went well. Had dinner and was able to visit with Collin's family! (We haven't seen them since our wedding!) On the way to where the girls where staying, momma called and said a tornado hit Atlanta...ATLANTA! Then it started hailing on us. Needless to say is was kinda scary! We got to where we were going and fell asleep. We woke up at 5:00(!) to tornado sirens. We were glued to the T.V. till about 6:30. Everything passed over with no harm. We had a wonderful time getting ready and left ON TIME to get to the church. We got there, got dressed, and took pictures. AS SOON as we were done with pictures it started POURING. Then came the hail. Mind you...this is 15 MINUTES before the ceremony! Then the sirens started going off again! But as soon as it was time for us to go around the building to walk down the aisle, everything let up. It was perfect. The ceremony was so sweet! And the reception was so much fun!
After the wedding...we hung out with some friends and played rock band! It was so much fun!

My building was not harmed in the storm...crazy, because we are only a block away The Westin Hotel and 2 blocks from the Equitable Building and the Georgia Pacific Building.

So...It's BIRTHDAY AND AFRICA WEEK! We are going to Tokyo tonight to eat for Collin's Birthday! YUMMO! Thursday, we are having dinner with the guys going to Africa and their families. And then Friday is the BIG day. We have a date night with our small group Friday night, and I am trying to fill my time up, so I don't think about him being gone, too much!

BUSY BUSY Weekend!

So...this weekend is gonna be PRETTY busy!

Tonight:

• I have to go pick up my dress for Carson and Laurice's wedding!!! Therefore I had to ask Collin to do a little grocery shopping for me.
• CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN!

Tomorrow:

• Go shopping for a shower on Saturday.
• Prepare for dinner Saturday night.

Saturday (The BUSIEST day!):

• 9-1: Organize my church's supply closet (Our church just moved into a NEW building, so me and a friend volunteered to organize the closet.)
• 2-4: Lingerie Shower for Kelly (YAY! I'm SO excited!)
• 6- Whenever: Hosting a Birthday dinner for Mom and Collin at our apartment.

Sunday:

• Church (Our first Sunday in our OWN building!)
• REST!

The weekend should FLY by!

In Other News:
Collin got his last round of shots for his trip. He is READY to go...problem is, his flight doesn't take off till March 20th. I can't believe he is leaving in 21 DAYS! We have been planning this for months!

Collin and I celebrated our 4 month wedding anniversary yesterday. CRAZY! Everything is GREAT! We have been going to a Nearly/Newlywed Smallgroup, well we started before we even got married, but these past couple of studies have really hit home with me. We have been talking about money. Since I take care of our finances, it really hit deep. I have learned not to stress/worry over money, but to give all my trust to God. It has been a HARD HARD lesson! But in the end, everything always works out.

Thank you notes...

ARE IN THE MAIL!!! Sorry for the delay...with holidays right after the wedding, it was hard to sit down and write them. But, with the help of Collin, we got them DONE! I know it 3 months(!) after the wedding, but Emily Post said I had 6 months to get the out.

So...we have been married 3 WHOLE months! CRAZY! Life couldn't be any better!

Collin has almost raised enough money for his trip. God has defenitly BLESSED this trip!
Collin got his first round of shots on Sunday, and will have the final round in a month. Also, he has to take a pill while over there, so we have to get a perscription for it.

We are also getting ready for Collin's brother, Carson, and one of my very best friends, Laurice, wedding! They are getting married March 15th, and we could not be more EXCITED!

Other than that...life is getting to be normal again.

Happy Birthday to Collin...

No it's not Collin birthday, but he did receive his present from a little early...well a lot early (his birthday isn't till March 20Th!!!). Last night we went to Target in Douglasville and got him an XBOX 360. I have been so against having a game system in our home, because I was afraid that Collin would spend all his time playing it. But, I finally gave in. So now we are part of the XBOX Live world. He can play with his friends without actually being in the same room with them. Which will be nice, because some of our friends are moving to San Diego in July to plant a church. So the boys will still be able to "hang out". We also got him 2 of his favorite games: Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3.

The Africa Trip is getting so close! 2 months and 5 days! Collin goes next week to get the first round of his shots. I can tell he is getting more excited, the closer it gets. The band is playing a D-NOW this weekend, and all the money they make is going towards the trip.

Married life is AMAZING! I can't believe we are about to hit the 3 month mark. We are thinking about moving, when our lease runs up in September, to another apartment complex called The Lofts. It is has A LOT more space than our current apartment.

Blessings!

So, Collin applied for his passport on Friday, November 30th. They told him it would be 4-6 weeks before he would receive it, even up to 10 weeks!!! He checked the mail yesterday, and in the mailbox was his passport! Not even 2 WEEKS! WHAT A BLESSING!

Just the usual...

Just a little update from the Ray's!

Collin has been practicing with the worship band for his trip to Africa. We were talking about it last night, and he gets so excited! Only 3 months and 10 days till he leaves...but, we have so much to do to get him ready to go!

Christmas time is almost here, and we haven't even started our Christmas shopping!
I think I'm going to try to do all of it this weekend! Also, I need to finish thank you notes for the wedding! So much to do!

Pictures of us decorating the tree:


Pictures of our apartment:

Christmas Time and Africa.

This past Saturday, Collin and I put up our Christmas Tree. We had so much fun!
Last year, the day after Christmas, Mom took me shopping for decorations. So I have been waiting and waiting to put them up! But of us agreed...it really feels like Christmas now! I'll post some pictures later.

We had a meeting for Collin's trip to Africa on Tuesday. We got all the details we needed. He applied for his passport on Friday, and next up are shots.

Thanksgiving!

It's Thanksgiving Week!
I love this time of year! This holiday season is gonna be so different:
#1 My grandma passed away earlier this year. It's not gonna be the same without her.
#2 This will be our first holiday season as a married couple!
Although...we have it so easy! We will spend Thanksgiving Day with my family. Saturday with Collin's Mom, and his Dad it's even coming up...so it will be very relaxing!
I have offered to bring rolls to both dinners (I don't think anyone wants me to cook anything!).

Collin has the opportunity to go the Africa next year! He is so excited! He is going along with our church's worship band, and they will be playing for a retreat for the missionaries over there. It's gonna be AMAZING! He'll be gone in March...actually he's gonna be gone during Easter...for about 8 days (I think).

Married life is still GREAT! Every day, I'm getting more used to it! Our apartment is finally getting organized! We still need a dining table and slip covers for our couch and love seat. And hopefully this week or next week...I will change my name!!!