Life is Wonderful....

at 03/23/09 2:04PM

Jordan and I took a trip to Bowling Green Kentucky last weekend and it was absolutely wonderful. It made me stop and realize some of the great blessings in my life!

1) I have the sweetest, most caring husband in the world. He is my best friend and we laugh so much together. Marriage is so much fun and I love having a husband that makes me feel so special. Being with him around the house is the coolest thing. Even if it is just getting ready in the morning together or lounging around with him, I love seeing him and sharing my life with him. Work and school can stress us out sometimes, but when we are at home, it is our own little space and everything else disappears.

2) I have the best family anyone could ask for! My parents are so generous and love me so much! My Mom is one of my best friends and I could talk to her all day. My Dad is so smart and so funny, he makes my day by just being in it. My brothers are growing into such awesome Christian men, I am so proud of them!

3) I have the best new family anyone could ask for! I get so excited to visit Jordan's family, they have truly become my own. I am so excited to have sis ters!!! I had so much fun getting to see all of them last weekend! Jordan’s Mom is so much fun, we are a lot alike and we get so goofy together. His Dad is so cute! It makes me smile to see what Jordan will look like in 20 years. :-)

4) I love having friends all over the county! Because of FC and all the Friends/Chorus tours , I can’t think of a state where I don’t know someone. It is so encouraging to have brothers and sisters in Christ all over.

5) God is so good!! He has given me such a wonderful life with wonderful people in it! Things are very crazy and busy right now, but I am so lucky and love my life. I really need so slow down every once in a while just to think about all my blessings, I take so much for granted.

Sorry if that was sappy…

Update on our life… Our poor little Sentra is dead. It was a good car and I miss it so much! I know it’s dumb but that is the only car Jordan and I have ever had together. That was the car we went on our first date in, drove to the beach in, talked about getting married in, got decorated at our wedding (the rose is still on the antenna and there is still confetti in the vents). But now we are shopping for a new car.

Jordan is now working at Mercy Hospital as a transporter and he loves it! My job is pretty up in the air, business isn’t going well and since I am the only temporary employee left, my boss said I would probably be let go within days. I am trying to get into house cleaning so I can balance it around school better.
We went to Bowling Green for a few days last weekend and it was so fun! We got to see so many old friends that we miss so much. We stayed with Lindsey and Katy and I got to catch up with my sis! Lindsey is so much fun and I loved getting to spend some time with her. I wish we lived closer so I could take full advantage of this whole sister thing!

We heard the FC Chorus (weird not being in it) Monday night and got to sing the Lord Bless You with the alumni for the first time!!!!!!!!! Not gonna lie, I cried…. Matthew and Joanna came up for the concert and we all stayed at Curt and Terri’s in Nashville. On the way to BG and back we got to visit the Greenbrier fam. :-) I can’t believe how many people we got to see in one weekend…it was FC/family overload!

We are excited to go back to Florida in a couple months for Matthew and Joanna’s wedding. I can’t wait to have a new sister-in-law! Joanna and Matthew are so perfect together, it just makes me smile. We are going to stay around a few days after the wedding to visit Tampa and the beach!!!

Sorry all this is so jumbled, but since I only write on here about once a year I figured I should get out as much as I could! :D

SO good to hear things are going well! We hope to see you guys in May!!

by zanne at 03/23/09 2:09PM
Oh, and I've mourned cars before. It's okay! :-)

by zanne at 03/23/09 2:09PM
Nice to see you on here! Not too sappy...I enjoyed the update;o) I'm so thankful that ya'll are still enjoying life even through the difficulties!

by lovinmarriage at 03/23/09 3:02PM
Good to hear from you! Glad you have such loving people in your life! So many blessings! Look forward to seeing you in May, too.

by sherelyn at 03/23/09 3:56PM
Tonight we plan to see and hear your Dad speak at Kleinwood. Hope your Mom is with him. Mark & Sherelyn are taking us. SO HAPPY to know you are SO HAPPY! When you find the right person to spend your life with, You are blessed beyond measure. Looking forward to seeing the two of you in May!!! Love you both!!!

by frances at 03/23/09 4:17PM
It does sound like you have a great life!! and I am very grateful and lucky to have you in my life!! :) love you!

by ashsctt at 03/23/09 6:16PM
Your dad preached a very fine lesson last night! It was good to hear him again and see others of your family. We even ran into Mark's cousin's husband which was a surprise and got to see old friends, too.

by sherelyn at 03/24/09 4:13PM
I delivered your Hug. He preached an excellent sermon on Why God Has To Send Some People to Hell. We saw many old friends--Ernest preached at Kleinwood about 28 years ago. We reminisced with your Uncle Curtis about when we lived in Tulsa, and your Grandparnts and he, and the Wayne Partains visited with us.

by frances at 03/24/09 4:27PM
I don't think I can count the number of times you said words like fun and love. This is a good thing. I'm so happy for you.

by vande at 04/08/09 6:24PM
I will see you soon, Sissy!!

by soysauce at 04/08/09 10:03PM
Happy Aniniversary!

by soysauce at 06/22/09 7:14PM
Have been trying to get an e-mail off to you with congratulations on nursing school acceptance. Guess this will have to suffice. Alan says everything is going well. GREAT! Love you both!

by frances at 06/22/09 11:03PM
I just reread your above entry, and it made me smile and be happy for you both. Just think,
we get to see you in THREE WEEKS!! I'm EXCITED!!!!

by frances at 11/05/09 10:17AM
THANKSGIVING!!!

by anne at 11/16/09 8:05PM

Truth

at 10/31/08 9:34AM

Sometimes I get so discouraged seeing how many people ignore the truth of God’s word. It’s not that I live around horrible people with no morals, actually most of the people I work with are some form of “Christian.” But it frustrates me to hear people say that, and then not pay any attention to what the Bible says. This culture has polluted everyone’s minds with the idea that humans can create their own churches, religions, and live however they want but still be pleasing to God. Humans have taken sacred things and turned them into things of the world. People have taken God’s worship and polluted it by adding instruments, entertainment bands, kitchens, game rooms, gyms, and play time for kids. There are churches with Starbucks inside, drive-through Lord’s Supper, and teams playing soccer “for Christ”, it’s ridiculous. It makes me want to cry when I think of how people have slapped God in the face by saying “Coming together simply to worship you is not enough, we need entertainment and food to draw us to you.” “We don’t love you enough to come here and praise you alone, we have to play games and sponsor sports teams, have clubs and cater to our own needs!” “We don’t want to read your word and let it live in our lives, we want to just focus on love and acceptance and forget all the rules you have laid down. We just want some smooth talking entertainer to ‘preach’ for us until we feel good.”

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their OWN desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” -2 Timothy 4:3

A lot of people that worship at churches like these say that adding all these extra things helps attract more people to church, especially the younger generations that need help. The thing I can’t understand is what good it does to attract people that are only coming for the food, games and fun? God wants people to be attracted to HIM and HIS word, not material things. Sure attendance will go up, but is that the main concern, numbers? What about building strong Christians that know the word and seek to serve God in everything?

Then there’s the idea that there is no absolute truth, truth is this elusive enigma that is different for every person. That is the worst lie anyone can be told! There is truth! It is the word of God!

“I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” –John 14:6

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples in deed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” –John 8:31,32

When people start moving away from the word of God, everything goes wrong. There is no way to determine what is right when you take the word out of the picture. I have been to churches that don’t even bring Bibles to the service, their “preachers” do not use any scripture references, and the focus is definitely not on what God says.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” -2 Timothy 3:16,17

God says it right there, the word is all we need!

Sometimes I feel like a useless Christian. I have never been very good at confrontation and usually sidestep anything I can to avoid upsetting someone or starting a disagreement. I have had a few religious discussions with friends over the years, but I have always been quick to put it aside when things get confrontational. I was reading Acts yesterday about the start of the gospel and I was ashamed when I read the strength and boldness that Peter and Stephen preached with. I am not bold at all. I don’t know how to start studying with someone and show them where I think they are wrong. I have all these beliefs and verses to back them up, but I don’t know how to start and to study with someone in a way that won’t turn them off from listening. I have always felt that it is important to establish things that you agree on before you start pointing out your differences. I am afraid that if I don’t approach things in just the right way, I will discourage them from the truth all together! I know that the power is in the word of God, not the messenger, but at the same time, I don’t always know how to present it in a way that will make any difference!

Girl, I know how you feel! Wow, do I know how you feel. I don't have any advice, but I certainly sympathize! and I love you!

by alinaomi7 at 10/31/08 1:02PM
What a great post! Thank you for that.

So much of this sounds like the discussion yesterday in our ladies Mark Your Bibles class! We were studying the topic "The Bible Can Be Understood," and bemoaning the fact that most "religious" people don't read the Bible, don't study the Bible, don't know what it says, and probably don't WANT to know...because they fear, deep down, there are things they will have to change if they really listen to God's word. But failures in the past with trying to interest people in studying together don't guarantee a lack of success in the future. Jesus, the Master Teacher, could not interest some people to seek God. We need to pray for opportunities, wisdom to recognize them when they come our way, and boldness to say what needs to be said. That is what the disciples prayed for in Acts 4:29.

One thing that has worked for me with one friend was asking her to read the Bible with me. She was skeptical at first, but finally agreed. We read the books of Luke and Acts together...over a 3 year period!! Once she became comfortable reading it together, she was ready to actually study it. I wish I could say she obeyed the gospel as a result of it all, but as yet, she has not. But the seed was planted, and who knows...

by anne at 10/31/08 2:14PM
What a good post!! Really makes you think. I completely understand how you feel. I'm exactly like you in confrontational things. I end up not thinking clearly when I'm in them and can't remember Biblical things I know and end up frustrated with myself. I try to pass out tracts to people I come across - cashiers, waitresses, mail them in bills. That way I'm intordicing people to the truth and they can contact me if they're interested.

by zanne at 10/31/08 2:16PM
Thank you, Torhi, for this post! I have a lot of the same misgivings about approaching and teaching someone the Truth. My daughters are much better at it than I am. I do find it easier to communicate by writing than by face to face. I do think I have been influenced by many teachers by the way they conduct themselves daily, and that,too, is a good way of teaching. Keep trying!

by frances at 10/31/08 3:28PM
I didn't know you were updating again! I miss you - I'm glad you're doing well. And what a great post to find you with again!

by dwatkins at 11/08/08 3:27PM
Hi cousin. Good thoughts. Hope you and Jordan are doing well. Love ya.

by metcala at 11/10/08 12:22AM
Yeah - Kayla joined the illustrious counseling staff of FC Texas Sr. Camp this year! She's pretty cool.

:)

by dwatkins at 11/10/08 7:09PM
Sure enjoyed Thanksgiving! So glad you could come. Look forward to next year! Thanks for your well thoughout post.

by sherelyn at 12/03/08 3:27PM
Happy 2009!

by jessicad at 01/01/09 3:06PM
hi :)

by i_love_soccer at 02/21/09 6:01PM
and I would totally love to come during the week sometime since yall are leaving for the weekend, but you have to work! :(

by ashsctt at 03/12/09 5:47PM
I am glad and want to spend time with you! You will meet Sophia tomorrow. I can shohw you some DI things! The contest will be Saturday we are not ready!!!

by soysauce at 03/12/09 7:13PM

Our life...

at 09/24/08 9:01AM

Well Jordan and I are all settled in our new home in Oklahoma City. He is working for a company called AOP in the shipping department, working with forklifts, packaging oil valves and all kinds of manly things like that! I a working as a receptionist at a company called Cameron. We both got hired through Manpower (temp agency) he can have his job as long as he wants, but mine is more temporary. I have no idea how long I will get to stay and I will only have three days notice before I leave so it's kinda stressful, but I know it will work out ok!
We have visited three wonderful congregations here since we got married and last month we placed membership at 84th street church of christ. It is such a good group of christians and we have been so encouraged working with them. They already have Jordan participating in almost every service so he stays pretty busy!
This weekend we are going to ARKANSAS to see our wonderful family and go to a singing with RJ Stevens. We are very excited to have a quick weekend trip.
Our lives are pretty crazy right now and we are excited for a break. Jordan is working 47 hours a week, I am working 40,and we both are taking 12 hours of classes online (Medical terminology, nutriton, pharmacology and US history)...so we don't get a lot of free time!

Good to hear fomr you!! Y'all be sure to get some sleep in there! :-) Enjoy your weekend!

by zanne at 09/24/08 9:47AM
I'm glad all is well! You'll love 84th street. We did. ...and I hope the last time you saw me was within 13 weeks because if it wasn't then I must have just been letting myself go! ;) Sounds like y'all are busy. Advice I took from a woman at church when I was in a similar situation: accept all free meals, all free help and all hugs. Sometimes you have to recieve for others to have a chance to give. I feel old...

by karalei at 09/24/08 10:53AM
oh, medical terminology...... i just took that class. fun.

by lindseyb at 09/24/08 11:27AM
glad everything is going well with you and Jordan. thanks for the update.

by curtisamy at 09/24/08 12:00PM
How good to hear what's going on with you and Jordan. I know the brethren at 84th St. are thrilled to have you both. THANKSGIVING!!!

by anne at 09/24/08 12:45PM
Good to hear from you.

by jollyhollyday at 09/24/08 12:48PM
I'm glad you're doing so well!!! I miss you both a lot! Have a wonderful trip!

by ktjb17 at 09/24/08 12:49PM
Unfortunately, we don't get to go to TX anymore for Tgiving. It's just too expensive and with Shad in school now it's just too hard. :-(

by zanne at 09/24/08 3:55PM
That's where Harry preaches right? Please give our love to him and Leslie and Ryan. We miss them!!

by zanne at 09/24/08 3:57PM
I miss University too. I moved to Columbus GA about 3 weeks ago. I'm now working with a University congregation in Auburn, AL. Like you, I have lots of things keeping me busy but mostly it's work. I'm working about 70 hours a week right now until we get our schedule caught up. I glad to hear that you're both doing well. Wow that much work and school too. I think I'll stick with my schedule over yours anytime. :)

by vande at 09/24/08 5:00PM
my friend lives in Arkansas. anyway im glad you guys are enjoying your new life!

by i_love_soccer at 09/24/08 6:07PM
So glad to read your update, and read of your busy lives. Have a good, relaxing weekend in

by frances at 09/24/08 7:41PM
AR. We are SOOO looking forward to THANKSGIVING!! Love you both!

by frances at 09/24/08 7:42PM
;)

by adwestphal at 09/25/08 1:48PM
thanks so much! it means a lot!

by i_love_soccer at 09/25/08 5:16PM
no reason, just sayin hi

by adwestphal at 09/26/08 12:03PM
Wonderful to have an update! I'm glad things are going well even though they are so busy! How is your dad doing?

by lovinmarriage at 09/26/08 5:26PM
I love you, too :o) I bet you're on your way to AR right now - I hope you have a wonderful (relaxing) weekend!

by lucystheboss at 09/26/08 8:21PM
Awesome! Who?

by karalei at 10/09/08 5:26PM
I LOVE THE BOLES!!! They're awesome. DJ is hilarious. I think he gets it from crazy David...

by karalei at 10/10/08 10:25AM

Almost a year since my last update...

at 07/30/08 12:47PM

My new little sister just got a blog (soysauce) and when I got on to look at it, i realized I hadn't updated since last September, so I figured I should change that! Lots has happened since September... I finished up my second year of FC and went on my last Friends tour this summer. Jordan and I got married June 23rd and moved to Oklahoma City where we will be going to nursing school next year. I have 2 new beautiful sisters Lindsey and Andie, and a new brother Matt.

If you want to see our wedding pictures, here's a link: http://picasaweb.google.com/Alan.and.Julie.Finley

2-21 of 21 comments « prev 1 2 next »

Beautiful pictures! I absolutely LOVE your dress! Congrats again, and I still can't believe you're MARRIED!!!

by calvinsparents at 07/30/08 1:00PM
Your pictures were beautiful! Congrats!

by sarai_31 at 07/30/08 2:25PM
The pictures are great, and it's so good to hear from you on here! I hope all is going well. I just noticed that it took both Alan and Matt to get Jordan's boutonniere just right (and when I looked up the spelling for that on the Internet, the first 8 entries had a question mark after the incorrect spelling. LOL).

by anne at 07/30/08 2:56PM
Such a prety bride!

by jollyhollyday at 07/30/08 4:18PM
Can't wait either!!!

by soysauce at 07/30/08 5:17PM
Hey torhi! I miss you guys!

by i_love_soccer at 07/30/08 9:59PM
yay for an update!! I was a little shocked to see your name lit up! hehe :) wuv you!

by ashsctt at 07/30/08 11:36PM
I really enjoyed the pictures!!! Thanks for sharing! Everyone looked wonderful, ecspecially the bride:o) Please email me your mailing address! You and Jordan look VERY happy together!

by lovinmarriage at 08/01/08 1:53PM
That is awesome!!! Congrats!

by imaprettypenguin at 08/01/08 11:43PM
Im glad You guys are here!! I can get to know you now! :)

by dee_arteest at 08/03/08 1:19AM
hey!!

by i_love_soccer at 08/08/08 12:26PM
I love you too!

by frances at 08/09/08 9:32AM
He is doing alright, he had a choking/seizure incident yesterday that set him back and put him in a not so good state, but I think he is stable right now. He is just not the person everyone knows and loves right now and not in a right state of mind always, so he is still struggling as well as the family! So please keep him and his family in your prayers!!

by ashsctt at 08/10/08 6:16PM
:)

by i_love_soccer at 08/10/08 7:56PM
good luck with this new chapter in your life!!!

by i_love_soccer at 08/10/08 8:07PM
you too!:)

by soysauce at 08/12/08 12:24AM
by soysauce at 08/19/08 5:38PM
^YUM!

by i_love_soccer at 08/23/08 6:38PM
I thought of you when I saw the starbucks, and hoped you would think it was cool!

by soysauce at 08/23/08 8:42PM
The Finley grandparents, Mom, Dad, and I went fishing together yesterday.I caught a small brim and dad caught a smalll bass but they were to small so we threw them back and no body caught any thing else.

by soysauce at 08/23/08 8:46PM

I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!

at 09/30/07 3:49PM

As of September 28th, I am engaged to JORDAN PAUL FINLEY!!! And I could not be happier for anything in the world!!!

38-57 of 57 comments « prev 1 2 3 next »

they are ordered. They should come around the 16th and then I will ship to you, so email my your addy. I used to have it memorized but it's been a few years and a few kids since then :o)

by lovinmarriage at 11/09/07 4:10AM
I sent you the pics. Sorry, it took a couple days, I was having some issues with my account:) Hope it works for you!!

by kendricks at 11/16/07 10:21AM
I have the stuff! I have had it for a while but have not sent it b/c I have been a little distracted with my eye. I'm sorry!! I was afraid if I mailed it now you would be out for christmas. Please let me know your schedual and if you would prefer for me to mail to your parents or you may be going home with your man. Just let me know. Again, I'm sorry for the delay!!!

by lovinmarriage at 12/02/07 11:29PM
I'll get it in the mail ASAP! Happy apartment hunting!

by lovinmarriage at 12/04/07 11:10PM
She's here!

by jessicad at 12/05/07 4:49AM
Hey, your package should arrive by Sat or Monday! Just add $6.00 to the total inside. 6 years ago today, Nick popped the question to me while at F.C. and I said yes! ;-) the rest is history... Tomesha had her baby today!! Alexis Grace, Lexi for short, Mommy and baby are doing good :o)

by lovinmarriage at 12/07/07 12:28AM
Hey It's Lori!!!!! I miss y'all so much i can't stand it!!

by triple_l at 12/08/07 2:33PM
Did you get your box?

by lovinmarriage at 12/13/07 12:56AM
Happy Holidays!

by jessicad at 12/27/07 1:37PM
Hey Torhi! I'm excited to meet you next month!

by lucystheboss at 01/17/08 10:11AM
I'm so glad we finally got to meet you! Thanks for coming to Luke and Suzanne's.

by anne at 01/27/08 3:58PM
We had fun too!

by zanne at 01/28/08 12:14PM
does sarah coffee have a PLeonast?

by ilovepink at 05/06/08 10:09PM
Hi torhi! hey are nathan and caleb coming to camp this year?

by i_love_soccer at 05/22/08 10:11PM
Hey! Do you remember me!? I am Sarah Finley's friend.. you met me in Mustang.

by dee_arteest at 06/13/08 1:16AM
congrats !!!

by ilovepink at 07/05/08 9:09PM
jenny told me that the wedding was beautiful

by ilovepink at 07/05/08 9:09PM
I forgot to ask if you were coming too. Are you?

by i_love_soccer at 07/09/08 4:34PM
congratulations. I hope you have a wonderful life together.

by mama2eowyn at 07/11/08 12:25PM
YOUR wedding was GORGEOUS. i love the pictures :) and you!

by emmylou at 07/22/08 10:44AM

91-95 of 95 entries « prev 1 2 … 15 16 17 18 19 next »

Life is Wonderful....

Truth

Our life...

Almost a year since my last update...

I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!

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