Walkin through life together.....

Jenny and I recently became involved in a "small group" of couples that made a commitment to walk through life together. There are 4 couples from our church that will spend the next 18 months meeting together every Sunday afternoon at 5:00. We have been meeting since late October I believe, and it is the highlight of our week. There are three newly married couples, and then there is Me and Jenny. We are all able to come together and share different experiences and insights with each other, which in return helps us grow in our relationship with the Lord, as well as with our significant other. I can honestly say that Jenny and I have gotten miles and miles closer to each other because of this group. It forces us to open up lines of communication that may have previously been shut down. Not only is the food amazing, but the people are amazing too. We are not just 4 random couples though that found each other on Craigslist...no no.....we have known each other for years, just maybe not as intimate as this "small group" demands. We do, however, have the "what is said here...stays here" policy, ...this only strengthens our trust and relationships with one another, therefore ultimately causing us to dig deeper and become more transparent amongst the group. Keith Wages, our fearless captain, is doing a wonderful job steering us in the right direction each week. Matter of fact...let me just show you our group members:


Keith & Mattie Wages

Matt Medlin & Jenny Moyers

Jeffrey & Courtney Henderson

Alan & Ashley Bradford

Our recent group study has been in correlation with the Movie FIREPROOF....... please click to check out the site. We are learning how to Fireproof our marriage, or in Jenny and I's case,....soon-to-be-marriage. This was an unbelievably awesome movie...if you can look past a few cheesy actors. The movie depicts real-life problems within a marriage and how a couple overcame the thoughts of divorce. You can really grasp the idea of how marriage is a gift given to us by God, and not some crazy long-term option. I recommend this movie to any couple....married or not!

...you just got YouTubed....

OK...so let me tell you how I scared the mess out of my cousin/roommate last night: (by the way, she is single.....I believe,... but I am not totally sure....check out her facebook page here for better details) OK, so back to my story...let me set the scene for you all - It was around midnight and she had just got done putting a load of laundry in the washer, cut off all the lights in the house, and shut her bedroom door to call it a night. 10 minutes later I sneaked into the laundry room and hid. I knew that she was in bed...prolly close to falling asleep at that moment, so I decided to Text her. The text read something like this "Hey, I hope I'm not waking you, but as I was going to my room to bed I heard a funny noise coming from the washing machine. It sounded like maybe whatever is in there might be stuck. Be careful because one of my shirts got eaten by the washer before. Goodnight Cuz." I am hoping that she will come to her clothes' rescue! Meanwhile, I am actually in the laundry room hiding while I text her. I wait a couple minutes and then finally I hear footsteps. Keep in mind all the lights in the house are off and it is close to midnight. Crystal, my cousin, comes stompin through the kitchen and opens the laundry room door.....BAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I scream bloody murder! She screams just as loud and has a miniature panic attack! I was victorious! I seriously laughed for the next 30 minutes straight. Her expression was priceless...and that is where my new term " You just got YouTubed" originated from...all because it was a prank worthy to be a YouTube sensation.

Please check out these infamous scary moments from YouTubers past:

- These two boys stayed up all night watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre. They ended up sleeping in the same bed with the lights on....check out what the parents do:



This little boy, which is not me by the way,....locked himself in his room to choreograph a Britney Spears dance routine. What he didn't know was that his mom set up a hidden camera and was also in the closet:

random videos.....

I decided to post some videos that were brought to my attention this weekend....

6) Samuel Richard Medlin

This is the newest addition to the Medlin family. His name is Samuel Richard Medlin and he is only a few months old. He is the awesomest little baby in the world....I know I am biased, but still. I think it is the coolest thing ever to hear a little baby giggle and laugh....I cannot wait until he gets a little older and develops a personality because he is going to be a mess. If he is anything like his big sister he will be a loveable handful! You should see his big sister take care of him...it is amazing! She will hug him and be sweet to him...and talk to him...calling him "Baby Sam" the whole entire time! Sam truly is a blessing to our family and I love his little studly self! Babies are the greatest invention ever!

Samuel Richard Medlin

5) Maria Grace Medlin

This happens to be the most beautiful little princess in the whole entire world! Her name is RiRi, and she is my brother's 3 year old little girl. She is the most unselfish, compassionate toddler that I have ever known. For example, she was sad for a whole day when she stumbled upon a picture in a magazine that happened to have a little Iraqi girl being buried in it. Anytime that she is coloring or eating or reading a book....she has to share it with everyone in the room. She will hand you a crayon or a cookie, and even another book to read with her. She is full of energy and sometimes will go nonstop around the house playing with everything. I smile everytime I hear her say "MattMatt." I have to say that the ultimate heartbreaker is when she is with all of her other little play friends. Her face beams, as she screams with joy in this high-pitched laughing voice. They chase each other around the yard and hide from us underneath tables. I am truly blessed to have her in my life! I cannot wait to make babies of my own...shhh don't tell Jenny yet!

Maria Grace Medlin

4) Nicole Marie Medlin

This is my wonderful sister-in-law Nicole Medlin. She is the, always tan, mother of two beautiful offspring Maria Grace and Samuel Richard. She has been married to my brother Jason for around 4 years or so now. I love their relationship because they still pick and mess with each other like they were flirting back in college. My brother usually wins when it comes to embarrassing the other one though. Nicole also has a blog that you should check out sometime....click here to go straight to it. I have known Nicole for about 8 years or so, since we all went to Georgia College & State University together. She is perfect for my bro...she always has great advice and adds a lot of insight to my brother's somewhat stubborn views on things. She is a "Do-it-yourself" Queen...which is almost her downfall, because there are many unfinished projects lying around the house, but she is a very hard worker when it comes to her youngins. I love that Nicole is now officially a Medlin, because it is almost like an already-great-friend joined the family forever!

Nicole Marie Medlin

3) Jason Anthony Medlin

This is my gangsta-cool twin brother, Jason Medlin. We are fraternal twins, which, in simple terms, means we dont look alike.....it also has to do with some weird scientific stuff and eggs and zygotes and c-sections and things like that. My brother is married to his college flame, Nicole. They have a 3 year old princess, Maria Grace, and a several-month old baby boy stud named Sam. He is a middle school teacher at Murphy Middle in Augusta. He is one of the best teachers I know...not just cuz he's my brother, but because I know. Twins know things! He is heavily involved with the ministry opportunities at his church, First Presbyterian Augusta. One of the main reasons they moved onto Telfair street was to live amongst the neighborhood that God called them to minister to. You can usually find my brother doing several things: playing basketball & flag football, deacon'ing at the church, loving on his children and wife, and being a friend to any and everybody in his neighborhood. Apart from my fiance, he is my best friend. I constantly contact him for advice....prolly too much, but it helps! Much Love Fathead!

Jason Anthony Medlin

2) Myra Farrar Medlin

This is My wonderful mother, Myra Farrar Medlin. She is one of the most important women in my life. She also happens to be the most organized, reliable, disciplined, and self-controlled woman on this entire planet. Ask anyone that has ever traveled with her, or that has ever needed something. She has it in her purse...in its own little compartment! My mom is a graduate of Avondale High school, as well as the University of Georgia. She went to the same high school, and is the same age, as my father, but they were in different grades. My dad just so happened to love 2nd and 3rd grade so much that he wanted to try them each twice. Therefore, my parents did not meet until after high school at some party. Weird! Anyways, back to mi madre.... let me just say that she would seriously do anything for anybody...especially her family. She is very unselfish and has bent over backwards to help my brother and I in the past. However, I am starting to think that her grandchildren, which you will see in future blogs, are stealing her heart piece by piece. For example,....last Christmas Maria Grace and Baby Sam both took home quadruple the presents than anybody else. I mean c'mon.....where is the love? Just kiddin! I love you mom!

Myra Farrar Medlin

My Family.....1) Richard Salter Medlin III

I think that it is quite necessary to invite everyone to see all these crazy individuals that make up my family......ill try to add a little brief bio about each person as well. Each day I will add a new member to the Blog......here they are in no particular order:

My dad, Richard Medlin, and I....circa 2001. My dad is awesome..I love him with my whole heart! He is a retired school teacher with 30 years experience at Stone Mountain High and Dekalb Alternative school. You can find him doing one of three things now: walking everywhere 7 days a week, garage saling Thursday through Saturday, or at Braxtons Antique Auction on Monday nights. He is one of the hardest workers I know and would give anybody the shirt off of his back. He is a two-sport college athelete at Presbyterian College...football and track. I will go ahead and brag about his track record that is still standing to this day, for the 440 yard dash!

Richard Salter Medlin III

Texting in Church?

I was listening to 104.7 the Fish this morning, and they were actually having a pretty controversial discussion. I usually turn the station once they start talking, but I decided to listen this time. They were discussing the whole aspect of "texting," and the effect it has on people. For example, there is a church in Missouri where the Pastor encourages members of the congregation to text him during his sermon. He screens all the questions and comments that come to him through the texts, and then he attempts to answer them throughout the sermon. He believes that this promotes healthy dialogue within the community, and it also encourages people to actively communicate, where they previously would be very passive. I, personally cannot text and listen to a sermon at the same time. If someone is talking to me, and I am trying to text at the same, I usually involuntarily zone them out. It is very hard to believe that people can concentrate on what is going on in church while everyone around them is texting. I imagine ringtones going off, kids texting each other instead of the pastor, and phones lighting up everywhere. On the other hand.....here is an excerpt from an article about the "text-happy" church:

“The church’s embrace of texting — this was the third week of its experiment — has already improved the dialogue, according to Schreiner, and energized many of Morning Star’s younger members. ‘I love it,’ said 14-year-old Kailey Elfstrum, who had her text all ready to go even before Schreiner’s sermon began. ‘You get to ask the pastor anything you want while he’s talking.’ Her friend Maddie Howard, also 14, agreed. ‘You don’t want to admit your sins to the rest of the church, but this way you can still ask something important,’ she said.”

I know that I am not the most open-minded person in the world....I admit to that...however, I just can't fathom the idea of a congregation that is able to listen to what the Lord has to say through the pastor's sermon.....and send out multiple texts at the same time. I think there are ways to go about doing it without being a huge distraction. Text before....Text after......have a follow up service later on in the week after all the texts have gone through.....answer texts via the Internet or church website....etc.

People say that times are changing and so are the ways of communication. I agree with that statement, but I just can't bring myself to think that texting during the church service is appropriate.

Belief in Motion....

I just wanted to take a minute and let you all check out an awesome website: CLICK HERE - This is about a family, The Bruski's, and their ministry in Romania. They have a large family...7 to be exact....well, 8 because the oldest daughter just got married. They were members of Loganville First Baptist for a very long time...both parents, Aaron and Robin, served as members of the church staff, and the kids grew up going to the church every week. Well, I will let them explain to you a little about themselves:
How in the world did we end up in ROMANIA? Simple answer: OBEDIENCE! We came to Romania for the first time in 2004 as a Christmas family mission trip, but GOD had planted the desire years before. After seeing the needs, both physically and spiritually, we knew God was calling us to do more. After much prayer and fasting, we moved to Romania for a "7 month trial". While working along side a foundation, we had many opportunities to serve in many capacities; Bible studies, Discipleship, Abandoned babies and children, and Construction. During this time GOD grew our faith and our relationship with the LORD. This was a time of growing through good times and trials; but ALL GLORY TO HIM! We know that God has called us to Romania, but no longer working with that foundation. We are BACK, and seeing GOD do AMAZING THINGS! We are seeking HIS WILL as we continue to see HIS PLANS unfold, for HIS glory through this new ministry; BELIEF IN MOTION! "Faith is putting your belief in motion"
If you have a free minute check out their website - and keep Emma, Robin, Caleb, Kalep & Ashley Roberson, Aaron, Lanie, Paige in your prayers!

You have got to be kidding me......

I think that one of the grossest things that kids do at school, and I have seen a lot of disgusting habits,.....is picking their nose and then digesting the remains! UGH! My stomach turns at the thought. I decided to do a little research on the mortifying habit and check out what I found:

1) Mucophagy (literally mucus-eating, also referred as picking one's nose and eating it) is the consumption of the nasal mucus, boogers, and other detritus obtained from nose-picking. Some research suggests that mucophagy may be a natural and even healthy activity, which exposes the digestive system to bacteria accumulated in the mucus, thereby helping to strengthen the immune system.

2) According to Austrian lung specialist Dr. Friedrich Bischinger, picking your nose and eating what you find is one of the best (and most inexpensive) ways of staying healthy. The doc goes on to say that people who pick their noses with their fingers were healthier, happier and probably better in-tune with their bodies. "With the finger you can get to places you just can't reach with a handkerchief, keeping your nose far cleaner," adds Dr. Bischinger.

My research did not lead to a change of heart....I will continue to get grossed out everytime I see this feat being performed in my Gymnasium! There aint...yes I said aint....there aint a doctor on this planet that can persuade me to encourage my students to chowdown if they get hungry. That is why I severely limit my "coach-to-kid" highfives throughout the day.......I go through germ-x bottles like they're water......and if I catch a kid in the act I quickly make them aware of their bad habit.

Marriage Counseling.....

Jenny and I started the infamous marriage counseling with our preacher, Ronnie Kendall, this past Wednesday. I have heard many stories from my friends who have taken his counsel in the past. They all agree that it is much needed and extremely helpful. I must say that Jenny and I both were very anxious to begin the sessions. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect when we walked in. Keep in mind that Ronnie has known Jenny and her family since she was in diapers....and has known me since middle school. It was very interesting and entertaining to say the least! We both have a 150 question, personality profile test as a homework assignment for the next session. We have to fill one out for ourselves, as well as one for our future spouse. Yikes! Hopefully, this will give us some insight into areas that we are similar, as well as different. Marriage counseling truly is exciting, because Jenny and I are strengthening our relationship together....it's fun!

"Can't make it tough enough for me to complain......"

AMAZING! I hope I never complain again! I could not make it through this video with a dry-eye! This is an awesome example of a Father/Son relationship.....funny thing is though....it doesn't compare to the Father/Son relationship God has with us!

So what's up with my limbs and ligaments.....

I recently got an MRI to determine the status of my left ankle and right knee. I suffered a severe sprained ankle in September of '08, and it still doesn't feel much better. It has gotten tolerable, but not better. Inversion Sprain on left....

As for my knee, where do I begin? Due to excessive bow-leggedness and trauma caused by a hit-by-car accident at an early age, my legs have been through a lot. About 2 years ago I had a "High Tibial Osteotomy" to help out with my right knee, which was far worse off than my left.
















Well,......the MRI came back with some bad news! I have a torn Anterior Talofibular Ligament in my ankle, as well as a subtle Medial Meniscus tear in my knee. I truly am starting to believe that these ongoing injuries mean several things: 1) I am getting older 2) God is a jealous God and wants me to put him before sports 3) Getting injured affects more people than just myself....I now have a soon-to-be-wife, a job, and many other committments and responsibilities.

After talking with Jenny....and prayer.........
My plan is to not do anything aggressive with the injuries until after the wedding and honeymoon. The recovery is too long for it not to hinder the ceremony. I am going to refrain from playing most sports....I did say most...because, with an ankle sleeve, ankle brace, knee brace, and 5 Ibuprofen I can still manage some activity! Besides, I need to stay active for the most part...I just need to slow it down. I am not naive to the fact that God may eventually strip all sports away from me. Especially if I continue to put them ahead of My God. Through these injuries I have realized how big of an idol sports has been in my life. There is no room for that! This Blog post is not a sob story or a fish attempt for sympathy...I am just letting you all into my life and the events that come along with it.

Baptized, indoor and out.......

Today was an awesome, yet strange day to say the least. Today was the day that I was baptized in front of my family, friends, and many others. I wanted to let others know about the lifestyle decision that I made 10 years ago as a freshman in college, which changed my life dramatically. That decision was to accept Jesus Christ into my heart and surrender everything to him. Just like Pastor Ronnie said, "the gift of salvation is free, but it must cost everything." It was awesome to look out from the baptismal pit and see all the people that support me. My friends, the Scharffs, the Hills, the Hendersons, the Bradfords, and many others came....my family members like my Uncle Mack and Grandma came......My fiance Jenny came with her family.......My moms and pops , and my cousin Crystal came....it truly was unbelievable and overwhelming to realize how blessed I am to have friends and family that love me! Not to mention, what a great friend Keith Wages has become in the past few years....having Keith baptize me on Sunday, March 1st 2009 will be another great memory added to the list of many! On a lighter note....the weather seemed to be baptizing everything in sight....