In my quiet time a few minutes ago, I read from John 14. The first two verses in the chapter simply state:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me (Jesus)."
The simplicity of this statement struck me as I was reading. If only putting it into practice was as easy. Yet, just the words are a gentle reminder. Do not be troubled, trust.
That's all for now.
Signing off from Charleston, SC!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Two years!
We celebrated our two year anniversary on Monday. It is crazy how it feels so normal, like we've always been married and always will be. The past two years have been better than I imagined. Truly a gift.
One of my favorite photos, I posted on facebook:
"Two years of love and adventure."
I surprised Matt last Tuesday, November 1st. He got home from work and I quickly told him, go put on the clothes that are on your bed, you have 60 seconds, and we have a date. He kept asking me questions, but I was determined not to give anything away. We set off to Charlotte - about a two hour drive. We arrived at The Fillmore, a pretty cool venue. I had him close his eyes and I put an envelope in his hands. He opened it and saw our tickets for The David Crowder band, Seven Tour. This is their final tour, and they had quite the entourage with them. John Mark McMillan, Chris August and Gungor all did acoustic sets. Matt was totally surprised and remarked, "I never would have asked for this." Which, was the point. The concert was great and we had a wonderful night, complete with Cook-Out Milkshakes on the way home.
Here are a few photos from my surprise!
All smiles:
John Mark McMillan, he's from Charlotte!
Chris August - he's funny!
Gungor: amazing talent.
David Crowder Band - so good!
For our anniversary on Monday we went to dinner at a local Japanese place and watched some of our wedding video. This weekend Matt is taking me on a get-away, but I don't know where we are going! Then, next week we are off to Charleston for Matt to have a training session for work. Lots to look forward to.
One of my favorite photos, I posted on facebook:
"Two years of love and adventure."
I surprised Matt last Tuesday, November 1st. He got home from work and I quickly told him, go put on the clothes that are on your bed, you have 60 seconds, and we have a date. He kept asking me questions, but I was determined not to give anything away. We set off to Charlotte - about a two hour drive. We arrived at The Fillmore, a pretty cool venue. I had him close his eyes and I put an envelope in his hands. He opened it and saw our tickets for The David Crowder band, Seven Tour. This is their final tour, and they had quite the entourage with them. John Mark McMillan, Chris August and Gungor all did acoustic sets. Matt was totally surprised and remarked, "I never would have asked for this." Which, was the point. The concert was great and we had a wonderful night, complete with Cook-Out Milkshakes on the way home.
Here are a few photos from my surprise!
All smiles:
John Mark McMillan, he's from Charlotte!
Chris August - he's funny!
Gungor: amazing talent.
David Crowder Band - so good!
For our anniversary on Monday we went to dinner at a local Japanese place and watched some of our wedding video. This weekend Matt is taking me on a get-away, but I don't know where we are going! Then, next week we are off to Charleston for Matt to have a training session for work. Lots to look forward to.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
NYC!
I was able to go to NYC last week while making a work trip to Newburgh/Plattekill NY.
At the end of September I wrote in to "Live with Regis and Kelly" to get tickets. All the online tickets had been reserved, so the website said to send in a written request. I thought it was a long shot, especially with Regis retiring in a few weeks. However, about two weeks later I got a phone call asking if I was still available for Oct. 19th. I was thrilled and so surprised! I felt like a little kid! I set plans in motion to make my campground visit, booked a ticket and off I went.
Having never been to New York City, I was a bit nervous about navigating and finding the studio in the early morning. However, the train ride was smooth and I was able to catch a cab with no major hurdles. I woke up at 3:15am, took the 4:32am train into the city and didn't even get coffe until around 4pm (insane). It was raining the whole day, but it was still fun to be there! The show was great, and I'm SO glad I got to see lovable Regis before he "moves on." As to be expected, Kelly is fabulous. Seeing a show, live and in person was so awesome.
As I was walking out of the studio, checking my texts to see when my friends were coming into the city, I heard an intern asking if anyone wanted to see "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Since my friends weren't going to be there for a few hours, I headed down to that studio and sat in the audience for two episodes of the show! The episodes are set to air during the "Play It Forward" week, November 28th and 29th!
Here are a few pictures from my adventure. I am already looking forward to going back to visit my sister and her soon to be hubby when they live there!
Security:
Regis and his classmates! They were so cute reminiscing!
Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl and in the new film "Margin Call"
At the end of September I wrote in to "Live with Regis and Kelly" to get tickets. All the online tickets had been reserved, so the website said to send in a written request. I thought it was a long shot, especially with Regis retiring in a few weeks. However, about two weeks later I got a phone call asking if I was still available for Oct. 19th. I was thrilled and so surprised! I felt like a little kid! I set plans in motion to make my campground visit, booked a ticket and off I went.
Having never been to New York City, I was a bit nervous about navigating and finding the studio in the early morning. However, the train ride was smooth and I was able to catch a cab with no major hurdles. I woke up at 3:15am, took the 4:32am train into the city and didn't even get coffe until around 4pm (insane). It was raining the whole day, but it was still fun to be there! The show was great, and I'm SO glad I got to see lovable Regis before he "moves on." As to be expected, Kelly is fabulous. Seeing a show, live and in person was so awesome.
As I was walking out of the studio, checking my texts to see when my friends were coming into the city, I heard an intern asking if anyone wanted to see "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Since my friends weren't going to be there for a few hours, I headed down to that studio and sat in the audience for two episodes of the show! The episodes are set to air during the "Play It Forward" week, November 28th and 29th!
Here are a few pictures from my adventure. I am already looking forward to going back to visit my sister and her soon to be hubby when they live there!
Security:
Regis and his classmates! They were so cute reminiscing!
Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl and in the new film "Margin Call"
Friday, October 7, 2011
the beauty of music.
Do you ever have certain albums or songs that connect so much with you, that you can't stop listening to them? A few months ago, some friends here shared Will Reagan and United Pursuit's CD, "Live at the Banks House" with us. I was immediately drawn into the acoustic sound and the lyrics of each song. Some of the words are verses from the Bible, but others are just singing of opening oneself to God, and letting things go...with trust in Him. I have wrestled with worry off and on my whole life it seems. Sometimes it is intense worry over certain things, other times just little things that somehow distract me. The truths in these songs have brought me comfort in the middle of the night and kept me praising during the day.
Wednesday night we sang "Nothing I Hold On To." Part of the song says, "I give it all to you God, trusting that You'll make something beautiful out of me."
This resonated with me. We can give everything to Him, and we can trust Him to take it, and care for us despite the "junk" we carry.
It's humbling to sing these words when I know it's so easy for me to keep things in, or not give everything to God. I mean it's my body, my money, my job, my wants right? No, I'm not just living for myself. I don't want to just live for my own satisfaction. With grace, and humble practice, I want to give it all to You God. I trust that you'll make something beautiful out of me. I have hope that You will.
The line that follows is "I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open." I love this. After the hope and the surrender, is the action. I will go where You lead me, I will stay open to Your Spirit leading me.
There's a sweet surrender in this song. I hope it blesses you, if nothing else for the simplicity of the sound and the words.
Will Reagan and United Pursuit Band, "Nothing I Hold On To."
Wednesday night we sang "Nothing I Hold On To." Part of the song says, "I give it all to you God, trusting that You'll make something beautiful out of me."
This resonated with me. We can give everything to Him, and we can trust Him to take it, and care for us despite the "junk" we carry.
It's humbling to sing these words when I know it's so easy for me to keep things in, or not give everything to God. I mean it's my body, my money, my job, my wants right? No, I'm not just living for myself. I don't want to just live for my own satisfaction. With grace, and humble practice, I want to give it all to You God. I trust that you'll make something beautiful out of me. I have hope that You will.
The line that follows is "I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open." I love this. After the hope and the surrender, is the action. I will go where You lead me, I will stay open to Your Spirit leading me.
There's a sweet surrender in this song. I hope it blesses you, if nothing else for the simplicity of the sound and the words.
Will Reagan and United Pursuit Band, "Nothing I Hold On To."
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Dog-sitting
I am keeping my family's sweet dog this week. My parents are out of town for the week, so Ashby is hanging out here in Southern Pines. She is 14 years old (human years). It's great to have her here, for the companionship, and just because she's so cute. I've heard that people with pets live longer, and I can see how it really helps just to have something to care for, walk and enjoy. I feel like I'm cherishing her more at this stage in her life and in my own stage even...(not going too far into that or I'll cry).
Here's a photo from our snowy Christmas:
Isn't she the cutest?
Here's a photo from our snowy Christmas:
Isn't she the cutest?
Monday, October 3, 2011
Trying Something New
This afternoon I'm taking my first "hot yoga" class. I really enjoyed taking yoga while we lived on Tybee and were members at the YMCA. Of course, I had a great teacher and I know that made my experience even better. But since we've been here in SP I haven't joined a gym and therefore haven't found a yoga class to attend. So I bought a groupon for a local yoga studio downtown that offers the hot yoga classes and found a friend that was interested in checking out a class. So, there's a first time for everything...off we go!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Ocean
I just spent a week at Topsail Island with my family. It was such a wonderful getaway. No make-up, lots of sunshine, bocce ball, and seafood. But most importantly, a break from the world, a chance to relax and be renewed.
I've always been drawn to the ocean. I have loved the beach for as long as I can remember. The sound of the waves soothe me. The vastness of the open sea inspires me. I guess I just need to be reminded that things are bigger than they seem. Life is not just about me. Something greater is out there. Other people's needs are out there. These things, I am reminded of at the beach.
I've always been drawn to the ocean. I have loved the beach for as long as I can remember. The sound of the waves soothe me. The vastness of the open sea inspires me. I guess I just need to be reminded that things are bigger than they seem. Life is not just about me. Something greater is out there. Other people's needs are out there. These things, I am reminded of at the beach.
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