Pieces with the Reeses

Growing up in First Baptist Church of Manning, SC we sang "He Arose" every year at Easter. It was always my favorite because the beginning of the song was quiet and when you got to the chorus of "Up from the grave He arose...", everyone got so loud to the point of almost shouting it out. I hope I get to sing it this Sunday too! This is Easter week and I have been wanting to just take some time to reflect on the incredible gift we have been given in Christ. We who are the Lord's serve a living, moving God who desires LIFE for His children and had a plan from the begininning of creation for our salvation. God chose to send His only beloved Son to this earth to make a way for us. "Because of His great love, we are not consumed." -Lamentations 3:22 God loves us so much that He knew He had to provide an atonement for our sin so that we could call Him "Father" and live in His presence forever. So, He sent Jesus...Emmanuel...God with us, who ...

I am such a copy-cat today, but I love this idea! My favorite, Beth Moore, started this on her blog,  and then I noticed my girls, Alyssa and Kathyrn did it on their blogs too. I am learning so many new things about people and, naturally, I need to do it now! Here are the directions: What are 10 things - right off the top of your head - that we would only know about you if we knew you really well? 10 random things ranging anywhere on your personal map that make you a tad distinctive? Or just plain weird? Think quickly. Don't go for deep. Go for quirky. Don't try to put them in any kind of order and don't make them long. Just start typing. Since this is the Reese blog, I will attempt to do it for both of Ryan and myself.... Anna: 1. I hate to shave. Freshman year of college, I only shaved once a week and my friends and people I worked with tried to straighten me out with weekly "armpit checks"...sick, but true. 2. I love zits, abscesses, blood blisters---an...

Ryan & I went to Passion in 2007. Passion is a week-long meeting where college kids go to worship together and get some teaching from some of the best teachers in the world. At the Passion conference, Ryan and I first saw Francis Chan and listened to him present a great lesson from the Word....we both really learned a lot from him. We recently watched this video....a sermon by Francis Chan: YouTube - Francis Chan - Balance Beam Ryan and I were both so encouraged by this video to live life for GOD....not for comfort, safety, ease, popularity, success, but just for Him. Let God take a hold of all we are holding on so tightly to, so that we can really be free. I don't know about you, but I want to hear a "well done" when I reach Glory from God Himself. Thought you all may get a blessing from this video. Be brave for Christ...He will make you strong where you are weak and He will surely use you!!!

Well, first, for all you worriers out there, Scout passed his rock. Woo hoo!  Thanks to all of you who were concerned about him. Thanks to the elder Reeses for taking care of Scout during the process and having to search for the evidence, if you know what I mean! This weekend was the first weekend of spring, and boy, was it glorious.  It was 78 and sunny on Saturday and we had our first beach trip of the season!  Saturday night, we had a cookout at the house....so much fun grilling outside! Here are the cooks.....Simmons and Ryan! Our grill is nothing to write home about, but it can whip out some wicked burgers. Ryan got it as a present from his parents and it does a great job. Ryan & I thought it would be fun to make some cosmos for the occasion, so Becca and I enjoyed sippin' on a pink, delicious drink...                         ...

Scout went to stay in Greenville starting last Thursday with Mr. Mike and Ms. Cindy because Ryan and I were both going to be out of town this week. We got a call Sunday night that he was in the emergency vet clinic because he had been vomiting and acting really sick.  Come to find out....he had an intestinal obstruction from a rock. Scout loves to EAT!!!!  He always acts like he is famished, even though he eats a whoppin' 4 cups of food a day!  In the yard or on walks, he will try to eat everything- sticks, berries, leaves, ivy....you name it.  He has chewed on rocks before, but never eaten any....how good could it taste, anyway? He is doing okay now and hopefully will pass the blasted rock any minute.  We opted to not have surgery so we are really hoping Scout will pull through.  Ryan's parents have done a great job helping him through this and I am sure, have lost lots of sleep....thanks, guys! So, here is to praying  that Scout will...

Ryan, Scout and I went to the beach last weekend. The beach is my all-time favorite spot. I love the beauty of the waves and beach, the sunshine on my face and watching the families enjoy each other. Ryan used to love the mountains more than the beach, but I think he now shares my deep love for the ocean. Scout loves it too....I think he just liked so many things to eat there- like you know, sand and sea shells, which are probably going to cause an intestinal obstruction and vet visit this week :) (notice the sand all around Scout's mouth...) Ryan & Scout played ball for a while....here are some the captured moments... All of this playing really did a number on poor Scout... By far, the thing I love most about the beach is the feeling of being right it the midst of God's creation. Don't get me wrong, I know God is always with me and us, but sometimes I just don't feel his presence as much. At the beach, it forces me to just "be still and know that He is G...

Ryan & Jenn have been friends for about 10 years. She has also become a sweet and wonderful friend of mine. She is an incredibly faithful person and encouragment to all who know her. We are so blessed to call her a sister in Christ and a precious friend. Jenn started dating her Ryan about 2 months ago. They knew from the start that this was "it"! They are just loving love and one another and excited for the journey God has ahead of them. Ryan started getting us involved in his engagement plan a couple of weeks ago. They came to Charleston for dinner on Friday night and Ryan planned to propose to Jenn on Saturday morning as a total surprise. We went to dinner on Friday at the Boathouse and spent some time getting to know Jenn's new man. We had a blast with the two of them just hearing their love story. It was awesome to see a new relationship God had brought together and His perfect timing for their lives. Saturday, Ryan woke Jenn up before sunrise and took her to Fo...

We had a great time in Greenville last weekend! We went to celebrate some birthdays in my family and to visit with Ryan's family. Friday night, we spent some time with Mr. Mike and Ms. Cindy. Scout had really missed them and was thrilled to be reunited with them. They were great sports, even after Scout had like 5 accidents in the house. Oh, the joy of being grandparents to a pup! Saturday we had a great time hanging out with lots of family. Ms. Cindy and I attempted to take Scout for a walk, but he decided he wanted to lay down in the middle of the walking track instead. So, we tried taking Scout downtown and went for a walk with Cory & Ashey through Falls Park. That night, we went to Quin & Angie's to celebrate 3 birthdays....Big Ken, Anna and Quin. Anna turned 6 last week...she is getting so big...and fabulous :) Quin's birthday is this week, March 3rd, but we celebrated a little early this year Here is a picture of 2 of the honored guests, Big Ken and Anna, enjo...