It's A Boy!!!!!!!

Hello Everyone,
Greetings from the Springs!!! In case you have not heard our next Great news is that Mollie and I will be the proud parents of a little baby BOY. We are anxiously awaiting his arrival for the second week in July. His name will be J.B. which stands for Joseph Brooks. The name Joseph comes from my first name and Brooks from her mothers madian name. Hopefully next time we blog we will have a beautiful face to show each of you. Please continue to pray for both Mollie and our son. We love each of you and will blog hopefully again soon. God Bless!!! Michael

We are having a baby!

Yes, that is right. Michael and I are expecting in July. The tentative date is July 13th. Please pray for us as we transition into this new phase of life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!! MOLLIE AND I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST REMIND EACH OF YOU THAT JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!! THIS IS OUR FAVIORITE TIME OF YEAR AND WE ARE ANIOUSLY WAITING THE ARRIVAL OF CHRISTMAS DAY!!!! TT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MONTH MOLLIE STARTED HER NEW JOB AT BSHS!!!! SHE IS SO HAPPY AS WELL AM I STILL AT THE CHURCH. OUR STAFF IS LIKE ONE BIG FAMILY WHICH MAKES IT PLEASENT TO WORK HERE!!!!! WE PRAISE GOD FOR EACH OF YOU AND PRAY THAT YOU HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS. SO FROM THE JACKSON HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE: MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
MICHAEL

I AM SO THANKFUL!!!!!!!

HELLO FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!! I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE AND TELL YOU WHAT I AM THANKFUL FOR!!!!! I AM FIRST THANK FUL FOR SALVATION AND A WONDERFUL GOD THAT LOVES US SO MUCH!!!! SECOND, FOR MY AMAZING WIFE MOLLIE WHO AMAZES ME EVERYDAY!!!!MOLLIE YOU COMPLETE ME IN EVERY WAY AND AM SO THANKFUL TO BE MARRIED TO A WOMAN OF GOD. THIRD, TO OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE STOOD BEHIND US IN SO MANY WAYS!!!!! WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY FOR US AND FOR BEING GOLDLY EXAMPLES TO BOTH MOLLIE AND I!!!!! FOURTH, TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY AND STAFF!!!! INTERACTING WITH YOU ALL ON A DAILY AND WEEKLY BASIS IS SUCH A JOY FOR US!!!!! WE ARE SO THANKFUL WHERE GOD HAS US IN MINISTRY AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WHERE HE IS GOING TO TAKE US IN THE FUTURE!!!!! MAY YOU EACH BE THANKFUL THIS SEASON FOR REMEMBER: TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON!!!!!! MICHAEL AND MOLLIE: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!:):):):):)

Jackson's Fall Season

This fall has brought about many events for Michael and I. Michael's schedule at church will be very hectic for the month of October, but very rewarding as well. The youth had something called REACH which reaches out to the unchurched of our area. There are events such as home high school tailgating, Octoberween "Fear Factor," Harvest Fest, Community Celebration (revival), and the regular church events going on. I am continuing to travel and work at Wofford with the volleyball. I will begin with the women's basketball beginning next Monday. Needless to say, we are very busy people, but God is truly blessing us daily.
This past weekend we were able to visit with Paul and Kellie, my brother and our sister-n-law. It was such a delight to be able to see them. We love them so much and miss them.
Til next time....God bless

Ministry!!!!!!

HELLO EVERYONE, THIS IS MICHAEL!!!!! I FINALLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO BLOG AND AM SO EXCITED!!! Y OU KNOW ME IT IS THE SMALL THINGS IN LIFE THAT MAKE ME HAPPY. MOLLIE AND I NOW BEGIN OVERCOMING THE OBSTACLE OF HANDLING BOTH WORK AND SCHOOL!!!! I START BACK MONDAY AND AND REALLY LOOKING FOWARD TO GROWING DEEPER IN GODS WORD THIS COMING SEMESTER!!!! OUR MINISTRY IS OVERFLOW ING AS THE LORD CONTINUES TO BLESS OUR MINISTRIES AT BOTH BSFBC AND WOFFORD ON A DAILY BASIS. WE CAN NOT THANK THE LORD ENOUGH FOR ALL HE HAS GIVEN US OUR FIRST YEAR OF MARRIAGE AND CONTINUE TO JUST SEEK AND OBEY AS HE LEADS US TO OUR NEXT CHAPTER OF LIFE. LIFE CAN NOT BE ANY GREATER FOR WE ARE SO HAPPY WHERE THE LORD HAS US. MOLLIE BEGAN VOLLEYBALL AND WILL START SCHOOL IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR MINISTRIES AS WE SEEK TO LIVE LIVES PLEASING TO OUR LORD. MICHAEL

Since February....

These past several months have been so very busy for Michael and I. We have been knee deep in school work and working as well. Michael has recently been in transition of jobs. He is now the Administrative assitant to the Youth Minister at Church. I was very busy with the Wofford tennis team and taking Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy at Converse. God has continually showed up in our lives as we have been through some trying time with jobs, etc.
I do not need to forget to mention that my other cousin, Matthew, his wife, Kim, and son, Philip, have a new addition to the family. Braewyn Faith Brooks was born on May 2, 2007. She is beautiful and is bringing our family so much joy. Michael and I are not quite ready for children, but we rejoice in the day if God allows us to have children of our own. We love you guys!
Last night, I probably experienced the most humbling event in my life. Michael was ordained into the ministry. A part of that service was men praying over us. I did not think that I would cry, but believe you me, I did. God was so evident and there as i listened to the words and prayers of many men who have been a big part of my life and Michael's life. One being his dad, who prayed over us first, and the other Matthew, one of two cousins who I respect and have looked up to for all of my life. There were many others, but they were very special. God is so good and I am so blessed to have men who I can look to for guidance.
You will here more later. As for know, God bless.

CONGRATULATIONS LORI AND JONATHAN!!!

I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAVE A NEW ADDITION TO THE EXTENDED FAMILY. JONATHAN AND LORI (MY DEAREST OF TWO OF MY FAVORITE COUSINS) ARE THE PROUD PARENTS OF MADELINE GRACE. HANNAH IS NOW A BIG SISTER!! ONE DAY, HOPEFULLY, MICHAEL AND I WILL BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THAT JOY!!! WE ARE PRAYING FOR GOD'S TIMING!!!

Can you believe almost 2 months of 2007 is gone?

WOW! WHERE HAS JANUARY AND FEBRUARY GONE TO? THE JACKSON HOUSEHOLD HAS BEEN EXTREMELY BUSY WITH SCHOOL AND WORK. AT THIS TIME (9:40 AM), I AM USUALLY DOING MY GRADUATE WORK FOR MY COMPARATIVE VERTEBRATE CLASS, BUT I AM CAUGHT UP FOR NOW. PRAISE THE LORD!! MICHAEL ARE DEEP INTO CLASSES SO OUR DAYS ARE CONSUMED OF CLASSWORK AND WORK. HOWEVER, GOD IS SO GOOD, AND HE IS GOING TO GET US THROUGH. IT IS TENNIS SEASON, SO YES I HAVE BEEN BRAVING THE COLD WEATHER SITTING OUT AT TENNIS PRACTICE EACH AND EVERY AFTERNOON. MY WONDERFUL INLAWS GAVE ME MONEY FOR CHRISTMAS. I PUT THAT TO GOOD USE WITH A NICE WARM JACKET AND UNDER ARMOUR COLD GEAR. THANKS MAMA AND DADDY!! I SPEND EACH DAY AFTER PRACTICE DRIVING HOME IN MY HEATED CAR TO WARM BACK UP AND THEN BRAVE THE COLD ONCE MORE TO GET IN THE HOUSE TO FINISH OUT THE EVENING.
MICHAEL AND I HAVE BECOME BIG FANS OF AMERICAN IDOL. OUR TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY EVENINGS ARE SPENT WATCHING AMERICAN IDOL. THERE IS A GUY (CHRIS SLEIGH) WHO WENT TO SCHOOL WITH HIM, AND HE HAS MADE IT THE TOP 24 OF AMERICAN IDOL. WE ARE ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW FAR HE MAKES IT.
MICHAEL AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN SO BLESSED WITH WONDERFUL FRIENDS THAT HAVE COME INTO OUR LIVES SINCE WE HAVE GOTTEN MARRIED. OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS HAS TRULY BEEN A BLESSING. THEY HAVE REACHED OUT TO US AND HAVE HELPED US GROW SO MUCH IN OUR WALK WITH CHRIST AND OUR MARRIAGE. I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE A HUSBAND LIKE MICHAEL. HE MEANS THE WORLD TO ME AND I CAN NOT BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR ALMOST NINE MONTHS. WOW!!
TWO MONTHS OF 2007 AND GOD HAS SHOWED US SOMETHING EACH AND EVERY DAY IN OUR LIVES WHETHER IT HAS BEEN SOMETHING LITTLE OR BIG. I AM EXCITED TO SEE WHERE GOD WILL TAKE US THE REST OF THE YEAR!! LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN IS NEVER MEANT TO BE EASY, BUT IT IS SO EXCITING. MICHAEL AND I GET EXCITED DAILY AS WE LOOK TO OUR CREATOR AND FATHER TO GIVE US DIRECTION ON WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY PERSON THAT READS THIS BLOG!!

Family Day in Ashville

FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, MOM AND DAD HAD BEEN PLANNING OUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM THEM. SHE DECIDED THAT WE SHOULD GO TO THE BUILTMORE HOUSE AND TO SEE THE GINGERBREAD HOUSES AT THE GROVE PARK INN. FINALLY, OUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT HAD BEEN DELIEVERED ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9TH.



THE WEEK PRIOR TO GOING WAS CRAZY AS MICHAEL AND I FOUND OUT THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO GET A NEWER ENGINE FOR THE CAR. BUT BECAUSE I HAVE AN AMAZING FATHER-N-LAW, THAT WAS NOT GOING TO BE A PROBLEM BECAUSE HE IS A RETIRED MECHANIC. THEN ON WEDNESDAY, WE FOUND OUT THAT PAUL HAD MONO. HE STAYED IN THE BED ALL DAY WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, AND PART OF FRIDAY. THEY ARRIVED SAFELY ON FRIDAY NIGHT!!



FINALLY, SATURDAY HAD ARRIVED AND WE WERE ALL VERY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BE TOGETHER. THE FIRST EVENT OF THE DAY WAS THE BOILING SPRINGS CHRISTMAS PARADE. I WAS KIND OF EXCITED BECAUSE I HAD NOT BEEN IN ABOUT FOUR YEARS. WE WENT AND SAT IN MRS. HENDERSON'S YARD BECAUSE THE PARARDE STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT PAST HER HOUSE.


THE NEXT DESTINATION WAS TO THE PARENTS' HOUSE TO EAT LUNCH. MOM HAD MADE A POT OF VEGETABLE SOUP FOR THE FAMILY. THEN WE WERE READY TO LEAVE!!



WE ARRIVED AT THE BUILTMORE HOUSE AROUND 2:OO. MOM HAD TICKETS FOR THE CANDELIGHT TOUR AT THE BUILTMORE HOUSE SO WE WENT AROUND THE GROUNDS AND THE GREENHOUSE.

AFTER TOURING THE GROUNDS AND ADMIRING THE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY BEHIND THE BUILTMORE HOUSE, WE DECIDED THAT WE WOULD GO AND EAT. WE ENJOYED A WONDERFUL DINING EXPERIENCE AT TEXAS ROADHOUSE (ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS). BECAUSE WE HAD TO WAIT A LITTLE WHILE AT TEXAS ROADHOUSE, I KNEW THAT OUR TIME TO SEE THE GINGERBREAD HOUSES WOULD BE LIMITED. WE HAD ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO LOOK AT ALL THE CONTEST WINNERS. THEY WERE AMAZING AND YOU COULD TELL THAT MUCH TIME WENT INTO THE GINGERBREAD HOUSES.

AFTER THE GROVE PARK INN, IT WAS TIME FOR US TO HEAD BACK TO THE BUILTMORE HOUSE FOR OUR CANDELIGHT TOUR. OUR TOUR WAS SET FOR 9:15 AND THE TOUR LASTED FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF. BECAUSE WE WENT ON THE CANDELIGHT TOUR, WE WERE ABLE TO GET GUIDED TOURS BY WAY OF HEAD SET. THAT WAS PRETTY NEAT AND COOL TO HEAR THE DIFFERENT STORIES ABOUT EACH ROOM. THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS WERE AMAZING AND EACH ROOM IS SO UNIQUE. I WILL POST MORE PICTURES SOON.

THIS TRIP INDEED WAS ONE OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENTS I HAVE RECEIVED. WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR: FAMILY TIME AND A CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT HISTORY.

Grandma's surgery was a success. The doctor took part of her lymph nodes and had them read by a pathologist. They found nothing. Praise be to God!! They then removed the breast and she was quickly done with surgery. She was so awesome and had a great attitude the whole day after waiting until 4:30 (surgery scheduled for 12:30) throughout the whole process. I stayed with her Thursday night, and she was soon ready to be leaving the hospital before lunch. She has been doing great!! I am staying with her while she is at my parent's house during the day. I am not with her because she can not do much but because she wants to do too much. She has been such a huge encouragement to see because she has done so well and had a great attitude. Today, we will go to the doctor for a follow up. I am sure he will be impressed!!

Grandma's surgery

Tomorrow, My grandma will be having a masectomy. Please pray for a quick recovery in the hospital and a pleasant recovery as she stays with my parents for two weeks. God is so good and I have learned so much from her. I love you, Grandma!!

Grandma's next surgery

My grandma went to the doctor on Friday, December 1st to find out the results of her CT scan. Praise be to God that the cancer was nowhere else. After finding out the results, she decided the best thing for her was a masectomy. She is scheduled to have surgery December 14th. She will be in Spartanburg for two weeks following her surgery. Please pray for the surgery process and a quick recovery so grandma can get back to her daily activities at the Retirement center. She has been so blessed by wonderful people in Laurens and the friendships she has made there.
Hey! Soon I am going to try and put some pictures on the blog.....Watch out!!!

Grandma's Report

I thought that when volleyball was over, I would have time to sit down and chill out. However, that is not how things turned out. Last Monday, I knew that my grandma was going to get her report from the doctor and from what we thought, nothing serious was going to come of it. However, that was not the case. Grandma went to the doctor to soon find out that it was cancer and that the cancer she had was like mom's but larger. This devistated her, and she was emotionally distraught. I was kicked out of the training room for the rest of the week by my dear friend and fellow coworker, Elizabeth. She said I needed to be there. Grandma came back on Tuesday and stayed with Michael and I through Thanksgiving. She was able to get away from the retirement center and be with family to encourage her through this situation. I have been through this twice with mom. God has given me the strength for these two battles. I know that with God's guidance, I will be able to help her deal with this. The doctor said that she had two options: take more tissue out and then radiation or a total masectomy. We will see on Friday as she goes to get the report of her CT scan.
During her stay, she went where ever I went. She went with Michael and I to the Thanksgiving service at First Baptist Campobello on Tuesday night and then to Thanksgiving Dinner at Fairfield Inn on Wednesday. We cooked, laughed, and Michael gave her a hard time. Grandma's are so special, and I have learned to cherish the time I have with my only grandparent. Trust me! You learn a lot!!!!
We serve such an awesome God!!! My grandma has served in the greatest capacities, and she is an example of Christ's servant heart. I love you, Grandma!!!

Grandma

Tomorrow, my almost 81 year old grandma will be having a breast biopsy. Please pray for God's guidance and healing during this time. We do not know what is to come. We hope for the best that it is a cyst and nothing more, but nothing has really been said. We have been through this with my mom my freshman year in college. She was diagnosed with insitu carcinoma (not sure about the spelling) and had to go through 8 weeks of radiation. I know that God has a perfect plan and leads us every step of the way if we follow him daily. God is good, all the time!!!!

Good Times with Old Friends

Last night, Michael and I went to the house of my dear friend Kristel to have a Fabulous Four reunion. In high school, Kristel, ny dear friend Erin, my dear friend Lindsay, and I all call ourselves the Fabulous Four. I was number 4 because my birthday was last out of all of us and so I was the baby of the bunch. However, we shared many memories growing through our late junior high and high school years. Linda, Lindsay's mom, was not married at the time so we lived at Lindsay's house. We took many trips together, went various places, and shared in all the high school events that every high school student gets to experience. Well, anyways, Lindsay and her husband David live in Charleston so the times of getting together are very limited. Last night was one of the few opportunities. We were together for about three hours. We laughed and talked. Arpit, Kristel's husband, cooked wonderful hamburgers and we had some wonderful Apple pie. Friends are so special and I am so glad to have had three wonderful friends growing up. Paul always felt like they were his sisters. Believe you me, he learned a lot from them!!!

TWO MORE WEEKS OF VOLLEYBALL

YES, THAT IS RIGHT. TWO MORE WEEKS OF VOLLEYBALL. UNFORTUNATELY, MY GIRLS HAVE STRUGGLED THIS YEAR. THEY HAVE WORKED SO HARD AND UNFORTUNATELY, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE BENEFITS IN WINS RECORDED THIS SEASON. IF THEY ONLY KNEW HOW GOOD THEY ARE GOING TO BE IN A COUPLE OF YEARS. THIS WEEKEND WRAPS UP THE HOME GAMES FOR THEM AS THEY HAVE APPALACHIN STATE AND DAVIDSON. WE HAVE TWO GAMES AFTER THIS WEEKEND AND THEN THE TOURNAMENT THE WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING. I HAVE THROUGHLY ENJOYED THIS SEASON. THE GIRLS ARE GREAT GIRLS AND I HAVE A LOT OF FUN WITH THEM. GO WOFFORD TERRIERS!!!
TO THE MOMS THAT READ MY BLOG, CHECK OUT THE KRAFT FOOD AND FAMILY WEBSITE....IT IS SO AWESOME. THE WEBSITE IS www.kraftfoodandfamily.com/kf.

The Fair

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO MICHAEL AND I WERE ABLE TO GO MEET MOM, DAD, PAUL, AND KELLIE AT THE SC STATE FAIR. THE SIX OF US HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SEE EACH OTHER REALLY SINCE WE HAVE ALL GOTTEN MARRIED, SO WE WERE SUPER EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEM. DAD DECIDED THIS YEAR THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE TWO WEEKS OFF TO GO WORK AT THE FAIR WITH HIS FRIENDS. SUPRISINGLY, WHEN WE SAW DAD, WE THOUGHT HE WOULD BE TIRED AND WORN DOWN. HOWEVER, HE WAS HAPPY AS A LARK, AND LOOKED YOUNG EVEN THOUGH HE HAD WORKED FOURTEEN HOUR DAYS. MICHAEL AND I GOT THERE AROUND LUNCH TIME AND WE ATE SOME LUNCH. THEN WE WALKED AROUND WITH MOM LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT EXHIBITS. KELLIE AND PAUL GOT THERE ABOUT THREE AND WE TACKLED THEM WHEN WE SAW THEM. OH, HOW I HAVE MISSED MY BROTHER AND NOW HIS BEAUTIFUL, KELLIE. THEY ARE SO CUTE AND GOD HAS GOT SOME AMAZING THINGS IN STORE FOR THEM. WE ATE SOME MORE AND FINISHED OFF THE NIGHT WITH A RIDE ON THE FERRIS WHEEL. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! AT THE FERRIS WHEEL, MICHAEL AND I SAW FRIENDS FROM GREENWOOD WHO I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH (CHARLOTTE, SANDY, AND SHERI). THEY WERE SO AWESOME! IT WAS LIKE WE PICKED UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF WHEN WE SAW THEM. AFTER A WONDERFUL EVENING OF SEEING EXIBITS, CATCHING EVERY LITTLE SHOW, AND WATCHING THE COW SHOWMANSHIP, IT WAS TIME TO SAY GOODBYE. THE NEXT TIME WE WILL SEE THEM IS WHEN WE GO TO THE BUILTMORE HOUSE AND GROVE PARK INN FOR CHRISTMAS. HOW EXCITED AM I!!!

Volleyball, Volleyball, More Volleyball

since the beginning of september, my schedule has increasingly gotten busier. i have been working, sleeping, working, sleeping. well, that is my life right now. a little time with michael....not nearly enough but the time together is valuable because he works so hard at the fairfield inn daily and sometimes more than five days a week. my girls are so great and i have a good time! i do spend lots of hours with them. our first trip was to maryland where we came out 2-1. the girls played hard. so, if you would like to know where i am and what i am doing just look at www.wofford.edu/athletics. there you will find where i am and what i am doing. i also work with tennis. so, my days are running from 7am to 7pm. i know one day it will pay off. well, my girls are coming in a minute. got to go!!! hello to all and God is so good!!!

Athletic Training Certified

That is right. I have finally passed the hardest test I have ever taken in my life. As of 8/16/06, I am now Athletic Training Certified. I knew that I was going to get through this. I have learned what perseverance is and my verse through this whole time has been from the first book of James "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Jame 1:2-4 God is so good!!!!!! Thank you for all your love, support, and encouragement you have shown.