My parents are moving in less than a week. I've come home three or four times to help pack up, sort through lots of old stuff and be moral support! If you've moved, you know how incredibly overwhelming it can be, not to mention the exhaustion. Whew.
One of the fun things I've been able to do is read through old notes, cards, letters, and see many photos of people that are still special to me. I have a whole shoebox full from each year of college of these items. I'm throwing some things away, but some notes are just "keepers." Every single one from Matt I'm keeping. I just found a card from January 06, we'd been dating for about 6 months. On the back of the card it has the quote "You look familiar. Have we met somewhere before?" Matt wrote his own answer, "Yes, 3 summers ago. I'm glad you dissed me then. Being with you now, it is incredible. Really. I miss you."
What a reminder of the Lord's faithfulness in our lives, and Matt's humor that I continue to love. Though I "dissed" him then, look where we are now! I can't help but chuckle at his candid words and smile because I am loved by him.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sweet Magnolia
I love walking out my front door, and inhaling the sweet smell of magnolia blossoms. It smells like summertime, and it reminds me of my Gramma. I'm not sure why this is, maybe my mother has told me she "Gramma" loved magnolias, maybe I dreamed that.
Either way, I love the smell drifting through the breeze, and though it's SO hot outside, I can't help but pause and look at the tree, full of its blooms.
Stop and smell the flowers around you friends, life's too short to pass by simple beauty.
Either way, I love the smell drifting through the breeze, and though it's SO hot outside, I can't help but pause and look at the tree, full of its blooms.
Stop and smell the flowers around you friends, life's too short to pass by simple beauty.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
What truly matters?
"Comparison is the thief of joy."
I come back to this quote on a somewhat regular basis. I find myself comparing my life, my belongings, my wedding, my home, to other people. My joy is taken in those moments of dissatisfaction, insecurity and frustration. Facebook has amplified this for me, and maybe some of you out there. With so much access to what others are doing and how they are living, I can flip through pictures and then start to cheapen my own life. I am thankful that God has really brought me through a period of comparison and given me satisfaction in Him, but I also find myself slipping back into it. I am reminded of this quote and the beauty that it states. I do not want to be robbed of my joy, for something as trivial as comparison. May I remember that there is SO much more to life than what we can see here. Life is about relationships, about making a difference in the lives of others, about being impacted by others and living for something bigger than myself. That is what brings joy. That is what matters.
I come back to this quote on a somewhat regular basis. I find myself comparing my life, my belongings, my wedding, my home, to other people. My joy is taken in those moments of dissatisfaction, insecurity and frustration. Facebook has amplified this for me, and maybe some of you out there. With so much access to what others are doing and how they are living, I can flip through pictures and then start to cheapen my own life. I am thankful that God has really brought me through a period of comparison and given me satisfaction in Him, but I also find myself slipping back into it. I am reminded of this quote and the beauty that it states. I do not want to be robbed of my joy, for something as trivial as comparison. May I remember that there is SO much more to life than what we can see here. Life is about relationships, about making a difference in the lives of others, about being impacted by others and living for something bigger than myself. That is what brings joy. That is what matters.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Easter (better late than never)
**I tried to post this several times in the past week and a half, but my photos wouldn't upload. So... I'm sorry for the even more tardiness of my Easter post!**
We had a great Easter weekend. We met Matt's dad, Jenn and the boys for breakfast at IHOP on Saturday. It was yummy and a nice visit. I had some of the cinnastack pancakes that tasted just like I remembered them from high school...delicious! Then Jenn and I headed to target, which is always a fun stop. Matt entertained the boys so we could browse. After that we went to Clemmons for Saturday afternoon through Easter Sunday. My allergies had kicked in Friday night, so unfortunately I was not feeling great and missed out on the tennis match that my siblings took part in. But being around family is always enjoyable, even when feeling puny. Here are a few photos of the yummy cupcakes we decorated Saturday night and the "kids" and girls on Sunday morning. Dad didn't make our short photo session, he was still at church when we snapped the few shots.
On a side note, Easter is such a wonderful celebration. I love singing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today..." with the continual alleluia's throughout the song. I love the joy of celebrating a risen savior, and the grace and forgiveness that has been given to me through Jesus's death. It is a beautiful day, a beautiful celebration.
Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
We had a great Easter weekend. We met Matt's dad, Jenn and the boys for breakfast at IHOP on Saturday. It was yummy and a nice visit. I had some of the cinnastack pancakes that tasted just like I remembered them from high school...delicious! Then Jenn and I headed to target, which is always a fun stop. Matt entertained the boys so we could browse. After that we went to Clemmons for Saturday afternoon through Easter Sunday. My allergies had kicked in Friday night, so unfortunately I was not feeling great and missed out on the tennis match that my siblings took part in. But being around family is always enjoyable, even when feeling puny. Here are a few photos of the yummy cupcakes we decorated Saturday night and the "kids" and girls on Sunday morning. Dad didn't make our short photo session, he was still at church when we snapped the few shots.
On a side note, Easter is such a wonderful celebration. I love singing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today..." with the continual alleluia's throughout the song. I love the joy of celebrating a risen savior, and the grace and forgiveness that has been given to me through Jesus's death. It is a beautiful day, a beautiful celebration.
Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Monday, May 2, 2011
SummerShine Training Weekend (Follow Up)
We had a full weekend, but it was a great time of fellowship and growth. By the end of it, I was exhausted both physically and emotionally! Here are a few pictures of the 2011 staffers that could make it to training!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Nehemiah 4:10-14
So easily we give up on one another. We give up on family members, we lower our expectations or hopes because we've been let down. We turn to divorce when things are tough or our feelings just aren't there anymore. At Bible Study tonight we talked about fighting for our families. Fighting for our homes, our husbands, our children, etc. Oh that God would raise men and women up that are fighting for their families and for each other as spouses. This is my prayer. That units would be strengthened, that the world would see Christians committed to each other and encouraging those around us who are struggling in their own situations. God give us strength to fight for that which YOU have told us is worth it.
"And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people,'Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord,who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.'" - Nehemiah 4:14
"And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people,'Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord,who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.'" - Nehemiah 4:14
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