April weekends

April has been a busy month for the Nobles family. Numerous events have brought old friends (college kids/alumni) back to Rome. Here are some of the highlights:

Katharine & Scrap got married in March (ok, I know I said April...I lied), and it was great to see numerous friends at their wedding. The award for traveling the longest distance was Rachel Floyd. She flew in from Portland Oregon and brought her fiancee, Bradley. It was fun to visit with Rachel and meet her new beau! She & I got to play together at the wedding. She didn't fly her cello, but Drew Landis was kind enough to loan his. He said his cello had never sounded so good!
The weekend of April 16 was the 25th reunion for the Winshape College program at Berry. No, I'm not a Winshaper. The program didn't begin until after I had graduated. Alyssa is a Winshaper and we have known and loved many a Winshaper over the years. When Aly Slade told me she was planning it, I gladly volunteered to help when the event arrived. What a blessing to see old friends and catch up with them. It's always fun hanging out with my college friends, even after they have graduated.
Joe & Abby were the first to arrive. They were able to enjoy some time without the kids, thanks to grandparents in Atlanta. During college they were our adopted students, helped out with youth at church, loved on my kids and encouraged me in more ways than they could ever know. They also happened to fall in love on my couch in the fall of 2003! Here they are with Kate. She was 2 when they were freshmen!





The Winshape College program started in 1984Andy Craddock was a music student that I taught in the late 80's. He was a great tenor & a super guy. It was good to see him. He's endured a few personal trials over the past few years, but still remains strong in his faith.







Grace Cowan Powell was Randy's student teacher. He is always happy for a chance to visit with Grace. She was definitely one of the best student teacher's he has ever had. Currently Grace is a stay at home mom to Samuel...who is adorable! Thanks Ryan for sharing your precious family with us.







No reunion would be complete without babies. Michael Van Sant and baby Sadie, along with Matt Knowles and baby Addison. The girls are 5 days apart. They will have many Mountain Days of growing up together!


Chick-fil-A doesn't just serve delicious food, but it's a fun company too. Here's Doodles, he's not as famous as the cow. Doodles used to be a regular at the Dwarf House in Rome, and Carrie was petrified of him. She was happy to see this picture of her "friend."

Every year Berry has Mountain Day, and there is a competition between the dorms in a type of field day. Each dorm has a t-shirt for the occasion. At the reunion the alumni shared some of the old shirts. This is one of my favorites. The front said "Friendship Rules." You have know something about Winshape to appreciate these rules!












This past weekend, Kate had a swim meet in Dalton. Here is a video of her swimming the 50 Freestyle. She is in lane 4. Listen and you will hear them announce her name as she wins her heat. She finished 6th overall in her age group. Her coach thinks she will eventually be a middle distance swimmer...think 4oo or 500 yard events! She does love the water. In June she will attend swim camp at Auburn.

At the same time that Kate was swimming in Dalton, Carrie was primping for the prom. She's only a sophomore, but snagged a date with a fellow trumpet player. The Nobles are budget conscious (thrifty, cheap...call it what you want!) so she borrowed dress, shoes and clutch. We weren't at home to see her off for a night at the ball, but Alyssa was the family photographer. It stormed on Saturday, so the usual pictures at Berry were out. They took pictures at a fancy bed & breakfast in town where they charged $20 for the photo op. Carrie's date, Mark, is a senior - but he doesn't drive, so they doubled with some other band friends. After the photos they drove to Kennesaw and ate at Steak-n-Shake!!

This upcoming weekend we are hosting a cookout for the Calvary college crowd on Saturday and I've invited my piano pedagogy class for dinner on Sunday evening. Kate is participating in a Kids tri-athalon on Sunday too. We love the opportunity to share with those that God brings into our lives.

Easter 2010 & a new record!

At the Nobles home it is tradition to take an annual Easter picture. I don't always have cooperative children. The eldest complains because that means he has to wait to change out of his Sunday clothes. I usually take it outside in front of the azaleas, but they are late to bloom this year. So, this year the picture is in front of the red bud tree by the street. Alyssa (20), Aaron (22), Carrie (16), Kate (11).The two cats in the picture are Charlie and Rowdy.
This week I also set a new record. I love to cook, and have cooked for crowds at my house of up to 40....always college students! The past few years Michael Van Sant has asked me to help with Disciple Now. Michael is a great organizer and I have help from the church family in preparing the food on Friday night. This year our church hosted DNow for 7 churches. I prepared baked spaghetti for about 225 youth and leaders, definitely a new record for mamanobles! It was a new recipe, but it is sure to become a favorite at the Nobles household.

Death

OK, so this isn't what most people enjoy talking or reading about, but as my husband says "you have a 100% chance of dying." Lately I've been thinking about why God chooses to take his saints home and why others stay longer on this earth.

Our church just went through the "One Month to Live" study by Kerry & Chris Shook. During the course of the study one of our church members died while training for a half marathon. He was a fitness guru, and owned a workout facility called Pro Performance, known for grueling boot camps to get into shape. Scott was 48 and left behind a wife and 3 kids. Why Scott? What is God teaching us through this sudden homegoing? Why did Lisa and kids not get the chance to say goodbye?

Today, another young saint went to be with the Lord. Shane was diagnosed with an unknown cancer in November, he was 39. His family has watched him suffer the past few months and prayed for healing. God who can raise people from the dead, and cause the earth tremble could have healed Shane, and He did. It was heavenly healing. It's the family that is left to grieve.

Two godly men, two families to deal with the sudden loss. God chose to take Scott and Shane to glory. Yet, the Trammell family has watched as their mom & wife have suffered with cancer for 8 years. Why is she left here on this earth to suffer? Why hasn't God called her to glory yet? And while we are asking why, why has God blessed my family with good health? My parents are still in relatively good health in their mid-80's.

I don't have answers but I do know the ONE who does. The choir sang an anthem a few weeks ago called "You Can." The composer is Rodney Griffin, and you can listen to a clip of the song here. I pray that the words will encourage those who are struggling.

Sometimes I get caught up in wondering
When my stormy circumstance will end.
Forgetting that the hand I've been holding
is the precious hand of My all knowing friend.

Who sees beyond the veil that I am facing.
Past the unknown mystery to come.
Though I admit I can't see where I'm heading
I'm holding to the only One who does.

You can
explain all the wonder
You can
erase all the fear.
You can
dispel all the darkness
see a new day is dawning just a few miles from here.

When I can't see a purpose or plan
Lord, You can.

As you grieve and mourn cling to this "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

Why I love college students

It was the mid-80's, and @edstetzer was the youth pastor at Calvary Baptist Church. Ed approached me one Sunday evening, and said "Kathryn, you need to adopt a college student". I asked him why, and he said "because you do." Two things you need to know about Ed: he probably gave me several other reasons, and you don't tell him "no." Randy & I adopted two Shorter students (gasp...the other school), named April & Christie. The rest is history.

We have had so many students in our homes over the past 25 years, and it has been such a blessing. Here are some of the reasons I love college students:

1. They laugh a lot, and laughing in contagious.

2. They don't care if you cleaned your house.

3. They'll eat anything, and are grateful to get it. We have rule at our house - college students & guest go first and if you don't like it don't eat it!

4. They are interested in spiritual things, and what you believe.

5. They are good role models for my kids (at least the ones that come to my house!), and have helped shaped them into the people they are today.

6. Their faith is amazing. I have learned so much from students as they demonstrate their faith by serving and loving others. They trust Him with their whole heart, and understand the sovereignty of God.

7. They are busy, and don't stay long!

8. They like to have fun. Students in your home is fun, and often loud.

9. It's fun to watch them mature as young adults, and feel like you had a part in their growth.

10. They get married, have kids, and come to visit!

Until I had my own college students (2 in college), one of the reasons I loved college students was because they weren't your kids. Someone else was still responsible for them! Having two of my own, it's a little different....but I'm just the caretaker, they all belong to God. Whatever He has for their lives is OK with me. They belong to Him.

The first step in the journey

I have been contemplating this blog for a year, and now it has come to fruition. I love reading blogs, learning new things, and keeping up with old friends. Several friends have encouraged me to blog, even though I'm not sure I have anything worthwhile to share.

My plan is to let readers get a glimpse into the life of the Nobles household. Today is an introduction to the family.

I'm the mom to 4 children - ages 22, 19, 16, and 11. My husband is Randy, an 8th grade social studies teacher who can retire this year. I've made him promise to teach until the 11 year old is finished with middle school!

I am a native Floridian who came to Rome Georgia as a freshman at Berry College. That was in 1978. I met Randy, my hubby of almost 29 years, on the first day. We started dating the first quarter, and married before my senior year....the rest is history. I know God put him in my path early in my college career or I would not be the woman I am today.

Our first child, Aaron, was born after 7 years of marriage. I often say that Aaron's birth was the easiest part of his life! God is teaching me many things through this first born child. God loves me so much - despite my ignoring Him, despite my disobedience, and poor choices. I must learn to give love to all my children the same way that HE grants love & mercy to me...a sinner saved by grace.

Alyssa was born two years later. I quit graduate school when I became pregnant with her. Now we had a boy & a girl - the perfect family. But God had other plans! Carrie was born the year that Aaron went to kindergarten. A surprise pregnancy to us, but not to God. Three children - I was the youngest of three, all was well. Then came baby number 4, Kate. To say that I was upset is an understatement. Randy was turning 40, and another baby was on the way. How would we manage?

God has provided at every turn, simply amazing! As you read my blog I hope you'll learn how God is teaching me to be dependent on Him for everything.

A verse I claimed before I had children (2 miscarriages prior to Aaron), is one I still claim today as I realize God's sovereignty. "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Thy loving kindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Thy hands." Psalm 138:8