Happy Birthday

I guess I will start this one as I start many others by saying sorry for not posting in what seems like forever, basically all summer. I figured since I turned 28 yesterday that I could at least post something. I haven't had a whole lot of eventful birthdays in my time, but yesterday was a lot of fun. My team from work met at Cracker Barrel at 8:30am for breakfast, then drove up to the Ocoee River for some white water rafting. Of course it was a blast and was a chance just to have fun away from the crazy busy work life. And it's a great opportunity for team building. We had a blast and owned that river. After eating lunch we headed home. Then I had to book it in order to get to a wedding rehearsal I had here in Rome that I played for, which was fun. Then I got to spend some time with my amazing bride and eat dinner and just hang out at home. Man am I exhausted today, but what a great birthday.

In some other news, I love my job. I just can't say it enough. To get the chance to be a small part in the advancement of the gospel and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and to get paid for it is unbelievable and very humbling. God is really moving in the Rome and Floyd County area and changing the lives of people all around. It is abundantly clear that God has ordained FaithBridge Foster Care to change the way foster care is ran not only in Georgia, but across the nation and I just can't wait to see it come to fruition and be a tiny cog in the machine. To add to the joy, on Friday I found out that the Assistant Commissioner for the State of Georgia's Department of Human Resources, who is over all of DFCS in Georgia has resigned from his position and was hired by FaithBridge to be our Chief Operating Officer. I mean, this is a big time guy who has seen God move through our agency and he wants to be an active part and I am stoked. Mark Washington, welcome aboard sir, we are glad to have you. I'm sure the kind folks at DFCS offices across Georgia are scratching their heads going, "What's up with this FaithBridge deal?" Haha, I love it. Stay tuned for more updates on this awesome ministry.

Last, but by no means least, there is my beautiful wife. She started the school year and although she now has 18 students, 5 more than last year, she really loves her class. This, her 4th year of teaching, is the first time she has been able to teach the same thing in back to back years. She teaches fourth and fifth grade History, Science, Bible and Health. Yes, all four classes, although it isn't quite as much as it sounds. It does help that she no longer has Grad School classes and work to worry about and it has given her more free time, even though she still has a lot to do being a teacher. We really enjoyed this summer though since she didn't have much to do and could rest, spend time with friends, do things at home, read and most important of all, spend time with her loving husband, haha. We got to spend a ton of time together during the summer since I work from home a lot and the fact she didn't have plans every day. It really was a sweet time for us, something we didn't have a lot of during our first two years of marriage. The only thing negative was that we didn't get to take a vacation and haven't since our honeymoon, but hopefully next summer we will be able to since we'll have the money and I should be able to take the time off of work. We're thinking a cruise with some friends, but I guess you never know.

I guess I'll leave you guys here, but we do appreciate those of you who take time to show interest in our lives and for all your love and support. We have quite a busy fall full of traveling and packed full weekends, but God is good and we love our lives and the grace he has given us although we don't deserve it. Take care and hopefully I will have another post here much sooner than the last gap between posts. Check out the Project 127 facebook page, there is a link on the right side of our blog. Thanks and God bless!

C&B
Hayes Party of Two