A Weekend Away

This past weekend, Adam and I got to travel to Atlanta, Georgia (back to what we consider to be the "true south") for the wedding of some of our dearest friends, Marci and Justin SAKNINI. Our friendship with Justin and Marci (individually and as couple) was such a blessing to us during our years at Auburn, and we were so excited and honored to get to be a part of their big day. Everything about the wedding was beautiful and Christ-centered. We enjoyed it thoroughly. This weekend away from Lou was especially exciting because it marked the first time Adam and I had seen any of our friends from Auburn since our wedding seven months ago. Seven months is a long time, and we have missed everyone so much. It was truly wonderful to see all the people who were like family to us in Auburn. It's hard to believe how close you can get to people in just four years, but these were the people we lived with, ate with, took classes with, went to formals, socials, and events with, laughed with, and cried with. These people mean the world to us, and moving so far away from them and our true families has been the hardest thing about our first year of marriage. Needless to say, it was wonderful to spend quality time catching up with all the people that we love. Adam spent all weekend with the guys, and I spent all weekend with the girls. It felt like college again. Every season of life is precious, and we are absolutely loving this current season of life as a newlywed couple, exploring a new city, and becoming equipped for full-time ministry. However, our time as college students in Auburn, Alabama was a season that we will always treasure in our hearts and never forget. Here are a few pictures from the wedding weekend.

Their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Sanknini

Old Roomies...my Auburn family! In less than a month we will be spread all over the globe

This huge Aubie was outside the restaurant where

the rehearsal dinner was held. We were thrilled!

Alpha Gam friends at the rehearsal dinner

Practicing at the rehearsal. These are a bit out of order. :)

On our way to and from Atlanta we got to stop in Chattanooga, TN to visit Adam's sister and brother-in-law (Angela and Sean), and their three precious children (Bricen, Ana, and Ali).

When we arrived on Thursday, Sean and Angela treated us to a delicious lunch, and then we played an invigorating game of Nerf tag with Brice and Ana :). On the way home from Atlanta, we had another yummy lunch and a family game of UNO. It was so good to spend some time with our nieces and nephew. We don't get to see them often, and every time we do see them, they have grown so much. It's always a treat to be with them. Adam and I are both extremely blessed to have such precious, wonderful families who love the Lord. They always encourage us and bless our hearts. Praise the Father for giving good gifts to His children! We hope that in the future we will have many more "weekends away" that are as special as the one we just had. Here are a few more pictures.

Adam and Ali Grace

Is she not the cutest thing you have ever seen?

Mortifying Sin Before Sin Mortifies You!

In my recent days of reading about the old English Puritans, specifically one particular Puritan, Dr. John Owen. I now have a fond appreciation for the Puritans and their passion for living life in reckless abandon for Jesus Christ. The Puritans had a strong conviction of sin and they fully understood the weight of it. John Owen had a publication called The Mortification of Sin in Believers, plainly meaning to put sin to death. A book that every Christian should have in their arsenal. Unfortunately this is a subject that is avoided by most evangelical churches these days and many Christians suffer because of it. Tolerance is sweeping our churches and our households, something that which the Puritans taught very strongly against. One needs to understand the weight of his or hers own sin and the gravity of Christ bearing it to give eternal life. Furthermore the Apostle Paul posed the question, "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died in sin still live in it?" (Rom 6:1-2) If this question does not provoke conviction then you should strongly search your heart to see if Jesus Christ is really there! Furthermore, Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could experience a regenerative heart, one that longs for holiness and is in constant pursuit of godliness. This further brings me back to the text! "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Rom 6: 12-14)

Have you taken the time today to thank Christ for what he did to carry the burden of sin, so that you can know what its like to live a life knowing that you are no longer bound to it? I pray that your conviction of sin would grow to the point that you are burden by it and cry out to God, because only He grants the grace which provokes sanctification in our lives! Lets pray for one another so that we can put sin to death!

Why we are going to blog?

"Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever."

- Thomas Watson

Sarah and I have surrendered our lives to working for the Kingdom of God, so our chief end is to glorify Him. We want to share what God is doing in our lives everyday with our family, friends, and anyone else interested in reading. Our prayer is that you will see Christ in and through our lives as we write. We want to discuss our ministry and, most of all, our passion for sound theology. So join us in our spiritual development as we enjoy God together!

A NEW BLOG WILL BE COMING SOON!

Probably Tonight!!!!!