Monday, August 13, 2007

Leaving my Atlanta loves

Can I get away with telling you about my entire weekend through a series of photos? Because that's the only possible way I can catch you siestas up on this journey! Know that my brief blogging disappearance was a result of this being my last weekend here in Atlanta (aka - need to be party). Since Friday, you could have found me: at a pre-conference Women of Faith day with Beth and squealing over getting to meet some blogger friends, shopping, eating Maggiano's, and 3 different going away dinners, and soaking up as much Chaput family time as I could before leaving. My weekend photo album:

I met these two precious women months prior in Boone, NC. They ended up being seated right behind me! I jumped up and down when I got to hug their necks again. God had so knitted our hearts together...
My Carole and the necessary cup of Starbucks required for all LPL events. Words don't come close to the unspeakable privilege I have had to sit at her feet in the Lord.

Y'all! Jennyhope and I got to meet up and sit next to one another! And, darling Emmy found us too! They were true siestas indeed - hugging and talking like we'd been long lost friends. And if you're looking for notes on Beth's teaching, give Jenny a big shout-out and go here. Did I mention that Beyonce Knowles sat right next to Jenny and I too? Okay, well...not really. But the lyrics "You must not know about me" from her song Irreplaceable started playing as the woman's cell phone ringer in the middle of Beth's teaching, and it was all Jenny and I could do to keep from slap out falling in the floor with the giggles.

And you have to have at least one non-blogging friend with you right? Because otherwise people might think I only have imaginary friends (from the www). Krissy is the real deal :)

Travis, Travis, myself and Nate at lunch, because everyone should have Maggiano's before they leave Atlanta.

Going-away dinner at Casa Grande (because I'm a bit of a chips/salsa addict).

Going away dinner at one of my favorite pizza joints - Fellini's

Top: Birthday party and all the girls. Bottom: the Chaput boys who steal my heart everyday

I will miss you all...
And PS - For those who asked, I'm still awaiting a withdrawal from the spiritual bank regarding seminary. I'll keep you posted! Countdown is about a week and a half! :)

28 comments:

Lindsee Lou said...

PRECIOUS!!

And I agree with the Maggiano's. We have one in Houston and I could eat it all the time...so good!

Chips and Salsa, girl, I'm glad this was a going away pleasure for you.

So fun to see all your fun pictures and here about you meeting fun bloggin' siestas! :)

Hope we can meet one day! (Oh yeah, we will when you and Abby come to bible study with me one night in Houston!!) ;)

HUGS on this splendid Monday!

Darla said...

That is so awesome!! Thanks for the pics and the update!! Princess that is awesome! I hope and pray that I too will be able to meet up with some siestas when I am in RI. I am not entertaining invisible friendships either! haha you are so funny! Love ya, Princess to princess

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a great time! I so want to go to one Beth's confrences! I just might make the drive from here in Austin to Houston on Tuesday nights:O I'm praying to find some siestas to carpool with!
So you know Travis C too cool!? He has an amazing voice!
Thanks for sharing:)

Sharon Brumfield said...

I am glad you had such a fantastic time. Oh to be single and on the road. (don't tell my hubby I said that--enjoy it while you can! :)
How are the school arrangements going?
Did I miss an update on that?

Unknown said...

Ok, so I have not been blogging very long and might have missed it that you are personal friends with Travis Cottrell? I mean, I know he is just a guy, for real, he puts his pants on the same way we all do but man can the guy sing. How fun is that?!
(Not to under-emphasize all of the other wonderful friends who you celebrated with this weekend. It looks like you had a weekend to remember!)
I am excited to hear about all of your Seminary Adventures!

mandy said...

oh i could cry and you're coming to live like 50 yards from me.
you're so loved.....
you're SOOO loved.
:)

Christina said...

Thanks for sharing your weekend with us. :-)

jennyhope said...

SHUT UP!!! You did not eat with Travis! YOU MUST NOT KNOW ABOUT SHELLY YOU MUST NOT KNOW ABOUT SHELLY! A mess!! Was it your birthday?
Also, I can't believe you are moving!!

Janelle and Ella said...

These are very fun pictures!!
Sounds like a fabulous weekend! It's doesn't get much better than some chips and salsa and some teaching from Beth Moore.

Okay, if you ever make it to Dallas we are going to Maggiano's. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants.

Given Grace said...

Shelly..Thanks so much for sharing all the highlights of your weekend with us! Sounds like you had an awesome time!

Seeing Beth at a pre-conference is an amazing time in itself.

Will continue to pray for you answers!

Emmy said...

I LOVED meeting you all in Atlanta! I knew you would be there and I knew you would be close...so when I looked down and saw you all I about poped! Then I thought what if that isn't them??...but I had to take the chance! I am glad I did! : ) I love how Jesus connects peoples hearts! I felt like I had known you all - all my life!
That is awesome you got to eat with Travis...how do you know him?
God Bless- Emmy : )
***can't wait to hear about seminary!***

a boy a girl and a pug said...

Looks like such a fun weekend. Totally lifting you up in prayer. Can't wait to see what God has in store for you.

Heather said...

Sounds like it was so much fun! I hope you have a safe journey. Can't wait to hear how it goes! Good luck with seminary .. my hubby loves it!

Kelly S. said...

You did not have lunch with Travis!!!! Girl, I can't wait to hear about this. I am so glad you enjoyed your weekend! I thought about you while we were roasting on our camping trip!!

connorcolesmom said...

I loved your picture post!! What a fun time - could you have had a better send off!!
I mean the Travis, Travis, Shelly and Nate picture was to die for!!
Love it!!
I am still praying for you to have a filling of the spiritual bank for seminary - God has a plan and it is so good!! I can't wait to see it come to fruition!!
Oh and I do have the tickets - did you get my e-mail!!
I would love it if you could make the conference.
Love ya siesta!!
Kim

Angela Baylis said...

Dear Shelly,

I would have given ANYTHING to have sat with you guys at the pre-conference!!! I LOVE Jennyhope's notes!!!!! How did you manage to eat with Travis???

You are too funny talking about your imaginary friends on the www.!

Maggianos...YES! We were actually at the same place Saturday... but in Michigan celebrating my husband's birthday!

Sounds like you have been making the most of these last days!
I'm sure God wants us to meet one day!
Much love, siesta!
-angie xoxo

Linda said...

You are one busy little lady. Looks like you had a blast, anything involving Beth Moore and her love for our Lord had to be a blast. I am going to a series by her tomorrow night at our church. It is actually a 4 part series but tomorrow is the only one I will get to see because of kiddos and all. Irregardless I am totally siked about going. (Just wanted to add that your love for our Father is evident which makes you beautiful on the inside and it surely spills over on the outside because girl you are beautiful in these pictures.) :)
Blessings

Lisa Bolling said...

Girlfriend - How awesome to have lunch with Travis (and Travis). I am so glad you had a great weekend. Love all the pics.
I am praying for God to meet ALL your financial needs.
Blessings,
Lisa

Little Steps Of Faith said...

Aww, I am so glad you had a good time. I plan on going to the LPM event Feb...I think :)

God bless seminary school for you:)

Ang

AbbyLane said...

i'm jealous. but i get to see kathy this week so that will make up for it!!!! :)

miss you, love you!

Deedra said...

How cool that you got to meet up with fellow bloggers at the conference! Looks like a great time! Love the pics!

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Okay. I'm done with the silence on the Travis lunch. I want details. Lots and lots of details. :)

smooches,

Lisa

Liz Ferguson said...

Looks like a wonderful weekend! Your pictures are so fun...and WOW, you sure do get to know a lot of people. What a blessing!

Profbaugh said...

I'm actually so excited that you got to meet some of your bloggin' sisters face-to-face. Isn't it fantastic to actually be together in real life??

All this Beth and Travis too? You must have thought you'd died and gone to heaven.

Much luck in seminary. . . If I can help in any way, let me know, even if it all you want to do is vent. I've been a professor for a LONG time. So I do have some insight from the "other" side of the podium. And I'm a great listener!!

Much love,
~Cheryl (the prof)
St. Louis

jennyhope said...

hey girl let us know about the move when you get a chance.

Sharon Brumfield said...

Missing you!

Amanda said...

I am so excited for you! Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holly said...

You are beautiful inside and out, Girl!

God will make a way for you!
Love and prayers,
Holly