Blog?

Hello there!

I haven't blogged since Xanga (2004). So this is quite strange. Also, I'm not so sure what to blog about. I suppose I'll do an update and try to make it brief.

First of all, I decided to blog because of Matt Szuminski's gmail status which said, "Awesome wife http://blablabla.com" (that's not what it really said, but it's too hard to type) which brought me to his wife's blogspot. And... I loved it.

The Latest and Greatest:

1.) Moved to Memphis - May 2008

2.) Started DownLine Ministries - August 2008 (AWESOME!!!)

3.) Engaged - May 6 2009 ( :D )

4.) Schramm moved to Memphis - August 2009

5.) Married William Swanson Scalf II - August 15, 2009 (Photos to come)

6.) Started working at STREETS Ministries - August 31, 2009

And now the details. I love Memphis. It's a phenominal city with lots and lots of need. The church here is doing GREAT things (also a lot of churches doing some not so great things...)

I'm so glad that God brought me to this city!

DownLine Ministries is a discipleship training program headed by Kennon Vaughan. (Check it out at downlineministries.com). The program's focus is on Biblical discipleship which is a lost practice in our church today. It also teaches students the Bible book by book, verse by verse so that they are "one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15). I could write all day about what God taught me via DL, but I won't. I'll just say that I look at life through a new lense...

PJ proposed to me on May 6, 2009 at Spring Hill Camps. I had a week of vacation from the bank and PJ got a week of from Cherokee Baptist Church. We headed to Michigan to see my family - it had been since August 08 since I had last seen them. We met at camp, and so we thought it would be fun to go back there and visit since we weren't going to be able to work there anymore. (This past summer was my first summer in 11 years not being at the hill...sad face). We went for a little walk around camp and we went to Burger Island a.k.a "The Island" (That's for you TDL). We sat at a picnic table...

I looked at him and said...

"Is this where you're going to propose?!?"

I then patted one of his pockets and he swatted my hand away.

I then patted the other pocket and felt something small and round.

Then... my jaw dropped.

Then he pulled out a beautiful ring,

Then he said,

"Will you marry me? You're a brat."

I ruined his plan for propising, but it was still perfect.

I said yes.

Please check out our engagement photos at gauperphoto.com. nevermind. you have to have a password. Go to my facebook!

Lindsay Schramm finally got back from India and a few months later made her way to Memphis TN to partake in the DownLine adventure as well. (along with Lucas, Tyler, Nick, and Sara. Jamie, Bear, and Nick E. had moved here earlier. Nick E is now doing DL. Craig also moved here and is a Youth Pastor. Did I miss anyone? I feel like I did....)

Wedding - awesome

Honeymoon - awesome

Marraige - awesome

photos to come.

STREETS.

Go to streetsministries.org. That's where I work. I work with 7th grade girls in a program called Mission Graduation. Memphis City Schools are struggling. The kids that STREETS ministers to are primarily the kids that live across the street from our facility in the projects. The only projects left in Memphis. Those same kids go to middle school at Vance Middle School, which is where I spend most of my time. I meet with them, have lunch with them, tutor them, love them. I love my kids. VERY VERY MUCH! I think I'll post a photo.

Lexus (left) and Kyneisha (right)

I think that's all for now. Lindsay and I are cooking tonight, I'll let you know how that goes. We are also training for a 1/2 marathon.... hm. More on that to come.

-Mrs. Scalf