hello....welsome back. The thing about the weather in Florida is it's just like our winter up here except hot. You try to stay indoors as much as possible and itstead of blasting the heat in the car you blast the AC. And the great thing about Tampa is that most of the time there's a breeze. See up here, it gets just as hot during the day in the summer and we have winter...don't ask me why I moved back!

welcome^

you must not mind not having colors and seasons if you are wondering why you moved back to the midwest? that is the biggest issue for me. i love distinct seasons and COLOR! although, tampa is sooo very nice this time of yr.

I can't believe you've been down here twice and I've missed you both times. Well, I guess I'll have to try much harder next time you're in town to search you out. Glad you had a good week while you were here. I often wonder sometimes why I moved to Tampa as well and it's not even summer yet. Yikes! I'm in trouble :)

I think the "answer" must be to have a winter home in FL... or AZ... or CA. Yes, that would be nice, wouldn't it?

'Ello! I agree with you. I love the snow and fall and spring and summer. I have a hard time picking my favorite season. Each one brings its own magic. But every year I can't wait for it to snow. There is alittle extra magic in the air. And my favorite is walking in the snow at night with a full moon. It's so bright and spectacular. amy

I am glad that you are back. The row at church was kind of lonely!

Hi to you, too - wish you could come, too! Love 'ya!

my parents were at lectures too

yay for snow! (in moderation, that is, lol)

awe, I wish James and I could've gone! I'm glad you had such a good time! I'm sure they'd remember you!

Do you ever have time to chat......:)

thanks for the e-mail, it was a great sight to receive after a rough day. I do still have your number and I have longed to talk to you but I still have fellings of regret and sadness of how I let things go between us...:)

hey abby its andrea hardin

hi abby! glad you had a great trip! our last time together was in FL i think...amanda and benji's wedding! it's been a long time!

yeah sometimes i don't like my job, but then when I am not at work i'm thankful for the security. it takes care of me pretty well, and it's flexible- so i'm not in a hurry to get rid of it. I think I've pretty much decided to go to chicago for my training day- if it's not a good time for you than i can just stay in a hotel. i just left a message on your phone so we can talk later.

I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU DID I TELL YOU I LOVE YOU

CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU LOVE KEVIN

OH MY GOODNESS!! That has to be one of the most exciting games in football history! Well, the second half, anyway. Tensions were high around here but there was much jubilation when it was over. (Well, actually, right before it was over when we intercepted.) I do love football and I'll be sad when the season is over. Hey, are you going to be at lectures, too? I talked to your mom the other day and she must've forgotten to tell me. We, too, will be down there and I'm sure I'll get to see you at some point. That's one more thing to look forward to!

Hey...I'm so sorry it never worked out for me to come and see you! i still really would like to come and visit. I'm working two jobs right now, so getting time off can be tricky, but I'm sure I could work something out. It would be so much fun to see you and I've never been to chicago!

heyyy abby wats up??? GO COLTS!!!!! ♥ Kelsey

even i got into that game! it was pretty intense! we're definitely pulling for dungy to win. he deserves it! what are you up to??

hey Abby, I missed that game, but I hear it was a real good one. I guess we'll find out at the big game whether or not Peyton really is gonna choke. Go Bears? (ducks and runs)

yeahh its kelz from camp!!! how r u??? cant wait till camp!!! ♥

Hey Abby!! This is Stephanie Barnett from your cabin last year. Get back to me soon!!

Good, things are going good. Got a bf. Do you remember Aaron Zehnder from camp? I was talking about how I had a big crush on him, well that's him. lol. And I've been talking to Kevin alot lately. So what's going on with you?

Hey Abby, FL is good--way too warm for a decent winter season (argh!) but still pleasant. It's really weird how all my plants are tricked by the weather into thinking its springtime already with so many fresh sprouts when they should be hibernating. Alas, cocoa is my downfall as well. I have resisted the HFCS all month, only to meet stronger than usual craving for chocolate. My silly husband went to Sam's and purchased a 5 lb. container of choc. chip cookie dough. Needless to say, I have been eating it from the fridge. But you are SO RIGHT about diabetes--that's one of the main reasons I've bgun to kick the sugar addition. One month at a time, one change at a time, I'll detox this year. I'm glad we can keep in touch this way!

I will love keeeping in touch:) i am using work access to internet right now untill I move. When I get back I will use my new laptop and have internet access in ky, I am slowly becoming addicted to internet. I still have my e-mail for privacy if you want it, my92ranger@juno.com, your prayers are always greatfully appriciated!!!

I was just getting ready to call it a night and got your message! We have great news; Katie and her husband are moving here to Houston next month (or did I say that below). I'll be going to FL to help them drive back. I'm going to look up Fred and Fran while there. So good to hear from you! I have heard you've done well with your nutrition major. Good for you!

Hey, Abby. We are doing well. Thanks for the compliment on my daughter. I also have a son now who's 12 weeks and looks just like Grace. I haven't been able to post any pictures yet. Thanks for saying hello.

Abby-

Have fun in FL! Tell Aunt Hope I say Bonjour!

Abby, you should check out my post.

Hi Abby! Hope to see you during lectures... although I will be bailing out halfway through the week to complete my comprehensive exams so I can finally finish grad school (that's 2/7 - 2/12), but I am going to try to make the night lectures and homecoming game.

Hey!! life in columbus is pretty good.. school is canceled tomorrow bcause of snow!! YAY! anywho, we have all missed u sooo much!! ¢¾ ya, Abby

whoops

i meant ¢¾ ya abby (i hope it works this time)

I'm gonna be getting my Manning jersey, an authentic one, something I've been wanting for several years now. I so wanted to go to lectures, but I was told I had taken enough leave over the past few months, and besides I had to take part in a retirement ceremony on Friday. Glad you got to go though.

Oh yay! I can't wait to see it!! I will definitely have to go now ;-) Glad you had a good time!

Have you seen the sequel, Return to Oz?

Lorenzo, Lauren, Kaitlin, and I are all hoping to see Wicked here in Tampa. Glad to know that I won't be disappointed.

Hello!!! :)

I am glad that you enjoyed!

o, thanks, at least i only have one more day left.

and im doing just fine. I saw Wicked when i went to Chicago with my school, and it was REALLY cool.

Hey Abby! It's Abby, from columbus!!

wish we lived in a place where there were plays, musicals coming to town. we definately would like to go to them. glad you had a great time.

My roommate and a friend, Kayla, are planning on going to Chicago this weekend.

Miss you! I'm glad your holidays went well and you're going good! Come visit soon!

ABBY! I'm seeing Wicked tonight in New York City! We're twinkies!

That sounds like fun. I've been wanting to go see that for such a long time. Let's get together sometime.

I haven't heard of that. I'll have to look it up.

Ooooo, you'll have to tell us how it is. I've been wanting to see that!!! Glad things are well..

How was Wicked?

...yeah, how was it?

Hey, Abby! This is Rachel Messer (Latta). How are you? What have you been up to?

HELLO ABBY! It is great to be intouch with you. Thanks for the offer for advice - we are always going in different directions, but it seems that something will work out fairly soon!

Oh, I did remember about your younger sibilings being adopted:) What are you up to these days?

Abby- I am soooo jealous! I've heard so many good things about Wicked. Hope Emmy had fun! Give Nora kisses from me.

hey, this is morgan darby from fc camp.

I'm still enjoying good 'ole BG. Of course, it's forever changing. How's Chicago treating you? Where are you spending Thanksgiving?

I think the sorrow over the sin is indeed present initially. But, forgiveness is crucial. Of course the one who carries the child out of wedlock is embarrasssed, scared, and facing some tremendous and uncertain life changes. Shame before God and men is unavoidable. But we must forgive. To continue to bring up the sin (as in, "my daughter is pregnant...yes, she sinned") seems unnecessary and unChristlike. Does past sin require a constant acknowledgment? "This is my son Tom...yes, he has impregnated an unmarried girl recently" just doesn't seem like the right way to handle it. I agree with Jonathan...to cease emphasizing the past sin of others is not apathy. I believe it is acceptance, forgiveness, and moving forward.

My "fire-breathing dragon" comment follows. I was able to retrieve it. :) And no need to apologize; I always thought it was funny (sounded just like something your mom would say!)and sometimes we learn valuable lessons about ourselves from other's observations! For instance, I've had to give serious thought to Jerry Gehring's assessment that if we were dogs, Sherry would be a poodle, Tom would be a Lab, and I would be a pitbull. Probably a fire-breathing pitbull. "This could be why we are kindred spirits. I was reminded last night that someone once referred to me as a "fire-breathing dragon." Can't breathe fire and be apathetic, too, can you? :) And I absolutely agree with you about the apathy against sin. Look at how homosexuality is viewed, even among Christians. Yes, most would agree that it's wrong, but where is the REPULSION we should feel about it. Afterall, it is an ABOMINATION to our God."

Hey! Is this Abby Grant? This is Brittney Miller. How are you doing? :)

hey.question how do you find people and then add them.because amber just got one and i can't figure out how to find her then add her vso yeah.how are you.how come you havnt called home? oh well thats ok i still love you.heehee love Emmy

Hey Abbs- I don't think I'm going to be able to come on the 8th as I had planned to with the girls, I've got finals the next week and I need to be studying for those. Sorry! Hopefully I'll get to soon though!

I know you're not on here a whole lot, but I just emailed you (12/7). I wanted to ask you something about work, but I'll probably call you before you get this message or your email. I'm trying to schedule this thing.

Absolutely I have some thoughts. Firstly, that is a very good point. I could have used the word apathy in an email I just sent to one of my co-workers about this very subject. I explained how it is the christians who ought to be identifying and "judging" the sins that go on in the office and in people's everyday lives, and in our own for that matter. Instead what you find is people accuseing christians of being judgemental and bigoted. I tried to explain that it was not a "more righteous than thou attitude" but that it's our duty as christians to not only set ourselves apart but also to tell others about why we don't participate in certain activities. The other day all the guys in the office were going to Hooters for lunch and invited me to go. I not only had a hard time saying no (simply because of the peer pressure), I also missed the opportunity to show my passion as a christian and tell them some real reasons why I or anyone else for that matter should avoid places like that. I liked the way she said it most, "going to Hooters is stupid." I could very much use the help in realizing this very important principle of christianity. Thank you so much for the reminder. P.S. I'm sorry that we've lost touch, how are you? I'm living in Tampa now as of 11/13/06 when I took a new job. Hope to be able to talk to you again soon.

hey abby its molly ray from fc camp remeber me!?1!

Hi, Abby! This is Aleta (Walker) Samford. I came across you blog by accident but was thrilled to see your picture and here a little about how you are doing. I've remarried and am living in the Houston area. Just wanted to say hello!

Abby, I think you are being apathetic about pleonast posts!

hehe!!

Hey Abby!! This is Stephanie Barnett from your cabin last year. Get back to me soon!!

Hey, I heard that you'll be coming to Tampa soon. For a wedding? Yes? Hope I can see you and visit while your here.

hope you feel better siter that never talks to me on pleonast!

haha just kidding

Rats! I missed you while you were here. I've been sad for days.

Please don't be sad!

hey, this is morgan darby from camp. do u remember me?