New Blog Title

Before I even started this blog I have been trying to think of a catchy blog title. I wanted something that you got almost right away. Maybe you don’t understand immediately but then it hits you, Oh now I get it! Don’t get me wrong, I love “The Ray Family” mostly because of what it symbolizes (the fact that we are embarking on an incredible journey together and starting a family of our very own.) I ask Jacob all the time to be thinking of something cute and that describes us but he doesn’t take it too seriously. Although I will give him props the runner up… “Music and Munchkins” I had been throwing out random things like “Rambunctious Rays” (haha) and something about “Songs and Kids” when he said the music and munchkins one…music for him, munchkins for me…so cute right? But we kept thinking and last night as I was reading, “A life Well Lived” by Tommy Nelson (a verse by verse explanation of the book of Ecclesiastes) I came to the verses I have under my title and one finally came to me… “A Cord of Three”. Perfect. I love the new title and feel it is such a great description of not just him and then me but instead a description of our lives together and how God is an intricate part of us. Jacob and I can’t have a great marriage without that third strand- the most important strand. What do you think?

Philippians 4:19

I feel like there are so many exciting things going on in our lives right now I hardly know where to start. Jacob has officially finished his second semester of seminary (Friday) and his summer classes started today. Some break huh? My mom, Don, Colby, and Harmony all came up for a long weekend, it was the first time mom, Don, and Harmony have been able to visit us in Texas so we were thrilled to share our new life with them! We kept them busy too; a Frisco Rough Riders game, a DTS commencement (where my husband ROCKED btw, singing in the choir, men’s ensemble, AND a solo- what a stud) at Prestonwood Baptist Church, A sermon by Dennis Raney, Half Price Books, The Village Church, Twisted Root Burger Co, a tour of the DTS campus, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Denton Bible Church, El Fenix, a tour of our NEW HOUSE (more on that later), Mooyah, Grapevine Mills Mall, and Rockfish Grill..whew. I think that covers it. Please ignore all the eating places injected in that list lol.

About our new house… What can I say except God is good. His provision is more than sufficient, he pours out His blessings on us over and above what we could ever ask for. We will be moving mid to late July to Denton, TX. Our church is located there which means we are quite a bit. This is our very first house- wow! I will probably talk more about it the closer we are to moving (after all, we have 2 months.)

This Thursday we are heading to San Antonio for our 1 year Anniversary Trip. We are staying on the Riverwalk and are looking forward to relaxing and walking around just enjoying each other. Hopefully I will have some pictures to show when we get back. Taking more pictures is one of my goals for Year 2 of marriage, didn’t do so hot at it Year 1. So until next time, and with any luck some pictures =)

Attempt # 2

Okay, so funny story. I actually started this blog a year ago. Seriously, a year ago. I vaguely remember something about my mom telling me to journal every day (yea right), or maybe once a week, and then starting to make a website. Well I am about 5 out of 10 on skills it takes to run a computer so it was taking me a long time and I guess I gave up.

As we were approaching the big “1 year of marriage” mark, I began to hear my mother’s voice again and truly deep down inside I WANTED to start a blog but I guess because of my personality type (‘Sanguine’, don’t ask me to pronounce it but feel free to look it up) It is hard for me to get things done when other people are around because I would rather socialize than stay on task! Ha! What a thought. By the way, don’t ask Jacob about me getting things done at home. It really IS because I would rather spend my time with him not just be in the room next to him.

So, for the second time I googled “blogs” and when I clicked on the link, up popped our picture and the title *NewlyWeds*….cute and original I know. But remember it was LAST May that I had started all this blog stuff. I had completely forgotten about my first failed attempt but the reminder gave me the determination I needed to get this thing going. (Please Lord, don’t let me fail now that it’s official.)

Here is the quick update on our lives in Texas:

· Jacob is finishing his second semester at Dallas Theological Seminary. I couldn’t be more proud of my husband. He is one of the hardest working men I know. (And that is saying A LOT coming from a family of Gipson men!)

· He is working as the music ministry intern at our church- Denton Bible Church. His main responsibility is the Middle School Choir (7^th & 8^th Graders). The kids love him and it is so much fun watching him interact with them. It’s always funny when a joke falls flat because he references something from the 90’s and they were just being born so the sponsor’s laugh while puzzled faces looked back at us. Super Nintendo what? Fresh Prince who?

· I work at Carpe Diem Private Preschool. My class is “Transition to Preschool” or as I like to call it “Potty Training Central for 2 year olds”. I love being surrounded by children every day, although it can be exhausting at times. I am learning so much, the Lord is showing me how to be more patient and even at the end of a long hard day I know every morning will bring a smile when I am greeted by little beaming faces shouting “Ms. Haley is here!” followed by something completely random that they needed to tell me right away!

This is a little longer than I anticipated it being but I hope you enjoyed the first of hopefully MANY posting! We love you guys and pray for all of you.