A Little More Time

Today is the day. Well, today was the day we were suppose to leave, now it's September, 4th. Instead of sitting here at the kitchen table, sipping on coffee, and awaiting our 12:30 lunch plans, we would be loading up the car and heading to the airport for the longest two travel days of our life. After last night, I believe that God knew my heart was not yet ready and needed just a little more time for my "see you laters."

When we originally thought we were leaving today, I planned a little get together for our family and close friends so I could soak all of them up one last time. I don't know what I was thinking. I mean it was so much fun, but this idea was two different sides of my personality clashing together. I could have never been satisfied saying goodbye this way. Are you kidding me? I am a person that values long heart to hearts with a few people at a time. This makes me feel refreshed and invested in my friendships, BUT to have all the people that I have sweet conversation with in ONE room? Well, that only makes me feel as if I missed out on something by the time the party is over. 

The last few months, I believe God guarded my heart from feeling sad as we prepared to move. I felt nothing but excitement and calm. For once in my life I actually felt as if I did have it all together. I am not someone who covers up feelings of doubt, stress, insecurities, etc.. I share all my junk, so to speak. So when friends would ask how I am feeling, the truth was that I felt great. Not scared or worried at all. But when I would say that, I wondered how that could be...was there any fear or sadness at all? Because I felt nothing of the sort.

God does not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind...so when I prayed for my fears to turn to peace, I trusted in His power and the truth of the Bible to do so. Be anxious for nothing but in everything prayer and supplication, making your requests known to God... so I did. Fear and anxiety reveal lack of belief in God's promises, yet God has always kept his promises, so why should I not trust Him? He loves me, and He is good. 

But sadness over leaving friends, family, and everything that is familiar?

When Christ said to deny everything and follow him, and when he commanded his disciples to leave their home and families, I'm sure their was sadness within their hearts. 

But I pray that my heart would be so captivated by the Gospel...by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ...that I would believe that my sole purpose on this earth is to build his Kingdom and not my own...that the urgency and truth of Gospel would spur me on to give up everything that is comfortable. Because He is worth it. 

Last night, for the first time, I was sad. Maybe because we are not in our own home and it felt so much more real. Maybe because I had all my friends and family in one place and couldn't have good time with everyone. Maybe because I caught a glimpse of what I am leaving behind all at once. 

But each day, whether hard or easy, I want the Gospel to reign in my heart. I want the characteristics of God to be engraved in my soul. So I must remind myself every moment...

He knit me together in my mothers womb. He created me, he knows my personality and my needs 

He died for me and gave me His righteousness. He loves me, he is for my good, he pursues me

He cares for the broken hearted. He is a caring and comforting God

He left the glory of Heaven to live on earth as man. He has left his home in obedience to God the Father

He is Sovereign. I can trust that He knows best and is in control

All things work together for good for those who love the Lord...so I pray the the Holy Spirit will work within my heart and allow me to love Christ. 

...while remembering that my good is defined by the building of His Kingdom and not by my own selfish desires. 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Last night was so much fun, but I am so thankful for another three weeks...now that the reality of moving across the world has finally soaked in. We will be home in just ten short months, but that is the longest and farthest I have ever been away from the comforts of my life. 

I am so thankful God loves me so much that He wants to push me out of my comfort zone so that I may seek Him more, rely on Him more, talk to Him more, crave Him more, worship Him more, and truly feel that I can't live without Him. 

Three of Eric's best friends (Luke, Austin, Eric, Robert)

Thank you so much to everyone who came! It truly meant a lot to us and we ARE SO THANKFUL for each one of you!!

 

First Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day was so special and sweet, thanks to Eric, and of course, a shout out to my girl Addie who has a lot to do with me being a mom.  I kinda wish everyday was Mother's Day. Or at least twice a year would be nice. I'm pretty sure I even like it better than my birthday. It's this day where everyone who has this special thing in common is celebrated all around you. It's kinda awesome y'all.

Anyways, I woke up to find that Eric moved the monitor to his side of the bed, so he could wake up with Addie Grace and let me sleep in a little. And that he did. That morning, after I slept in (for 20 more minutes than usual haha), I found a beautiful bouquet of peonies, lilies, and daisies in the center of the island in the kitchen, along with a card that was TO: MOMMY and FROM: ADDIE. In the card was a visa gift card telling me to "have a night out" or "buy a shirt." Addie knows me so well. And that isn't all folks, Addie Grace got me bacon. BACON!! Winning!! I love bacon, and she found the most delicious kind I have ever tasted. Because Addie's fine motor skills aren't fully developed, nor can she reach the stove, Eric ended up cooking breakfast. He cooked the entire pack of bacon, letting me know we are also eating it for lunch, and also made pancakes.

After church, we came back home, and Eric made us good ol' fashion BLT's...one of my favorite sandwiches, while AG napped. He originally let me decide if I wanted to go out to eat, or eat at home. I chose to eat at home since AG missed her morning nap, which means we most likely wouldn't have had the most pleasant out-to-eat experience.

After she woke up, we decided to walk the trails to Shelley Lake since it was such a beautiful day. We laid on a blanket in the grass and took tons of pictures. Addie decided she didn't want to look at the camera, nor smile. It took many tries to get a semi-good one.

Overall, it was such fun memories that were created. This is why I blog, so I will always remember these sweet moments.

"Addie! Addie! Look up!"

"Over here, Addie!"

"No, over here!"

Ehh, close enough

Ahh, here we go. Except my head is extremely tilted

She thinks daddy is her jungle gym

Our family picture from the day. It makes me smile :)

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the best husband in the world! On Wednesday, Eric's mom came into town and took us out to dinner for Eric's birthday. We then went to the Apple store and he got his Ipad that he has been asking for, for months. Thanks to everyone who contributed to his Ipad fund! Thursday was his actual birthday, and we went out to dinner with our good friends Luke and Caroline and came back to our house where Eric blew out his candles and we ate some cake. It was very low key and simple, which is what Eric loves. Thanks for celebrating with us Luke and Caroline! We love your friendship!

Hope you had a wonderful time Eric! I love you so much and I am so thankful that God gave me a husband that is so caring, gracious, and loving! You will make so a great dad!

Tis The Season

I cannot believe this is my 3rd married Christmas! How time flies!! We left to go to Greensboro the Thursday before Christmas, however, Eric and I celebrated "our" Christmas on Wednesday. A man from our church who has been married much longer than us and also much wiser than us, recommended that we set aside time for just the two of us to celebrate. Wednesday evening we ate dinner together at home, fixed hot chocolate and exchanged gifts. On Thursday morning, we woke up and headed to Greensboro. That evening we attended the Goans Annual Christmas party.



Great friends, Anna and Rachel--Matching scarves!

Rachel and Chad celebrating their 1st Christmas as a married couple...

Take One

 Take Two

Ahh, there we go :)



Christmas Eve, we celebrated Christmas with Eric's dad, and the rest of his side of the family. Christmas day we woke up, opened presents with his mom and siblings, went to church, and then went to Eric's Aunt and Uncle's house to celebrate with that side of the family.

Getting brunch ready!

Eric, Eric's beard, and his mom

Dean and Lori playing packman

1st Married Christmas!

Delicious Breakfast

After brunch, we headed to Lincolnton  to celebrate with my parents and sisters. Sadly, my mom got called into to work so she wasn't home when we arrived. We prepared dinner, and when she got home we all ate and opened presents. I don't have any pictures, my sister was in charge of those. We woke up the next morning, and went to Birkdale to do a little shopping. It was a wonderful Christmas and I cannot believe it is already over!

Praise God He sent his Son. Praise Jesus that He came to live amongst sinners. Praise Him that He calls us unto Himself. Merry Christmas!

Crazy Busy

The last month has been crazy, so I put blogging on hold for a little while. I think this is the first whole week I have actually been home...and without Eric. Sad. Eric took the 11th graders from church to a Mission project in Charlotte for the week. Don't worry, I haven't been lonely at all, I have kept myself busy. BUT let me start at the beginning and tell you where we have been and what our lives have been up to (Go ahead and buckle up, this is going to be a long ride)

The month started with a quick trip to Wrightsville beach to hang out with this girl.

Emily is awesome. We laid out for a few hours and talked, then I headed a couple of miles down the road to spend time with one of my best friends, Ashley, and her family.

While I was down, Ashley rented a paddle board. One word. OBSESSED. I love it. I definitely want to do it again. I was so peaceful and relaxing, just me and the water.

I spent the night with her, then headed back to Raleigh. As deceiving as it sounds, I'm not out of a suitcase yet. I unpacked beach stuff, to pack up wedding stuff. The next day, I headed to greensboro to be in my friend, Rachel's wedding. We all hung out with her on Thursday night- dinner and movie at her house.

On Friday, we had the bridesmaid luncheon, let me just pause for a second and  say, the luncheon was at a family friend of Rachel's, and I felt as though I was at an Anthropologie photo shoot. It was not only beautiful, but very vintage and classic. YUM.

The wedding on Saturday was FUN. Rachel and Chad are both such fun people, so I knew this wedding was going to be a blast. Rachel looked stunning, like a queen. The dresses were two different styles of green, all of the colors looked great together.

And presenting, Chad and Rachel Lynam...

So the wedding was a BLAST...complete with a flash mob by yours truly (and of course 25+ people, including my hubs)

We went back to Raleigh on Sunday and celebrated our 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY on Monday (July 11). I can't believe it has been 2 years! Eric surprised me with dinner at the Angus Barn.

He insisted on blindfolding me so I wouldn't figure out the surprise...

We had so much food and so much fun!

A couple of days later, we once again headed out to the beach for family vaca with the Hovis'. Prince William let us borrow his and Kate's luxury condo on beaches of SC. Okay, so I'm kidding, but I might as well be serious...because it was NICE. So nice in fact, I couldn't take pictures. It would have broken the lense. Sorry.

We got back to Raleigh on Saturday, and I left again on Monday, to go to the beach to help out my favorite family, the HAGES. If you were at our wedding, you may remember the Hages by our blonde, curly headed flower girl.

Of course, she is a big girl now...almost 6!

Got home on Thursday and left Friday for another wedding of a great friend. I had double duty in her wedding, bridesmaid/singer. It was a BLAST. Katie looked so beautiful, and Haskell looked great too. A groomsman, brother of Haskell, even passed out during the vows. I mean he fell with a THUD.  It caught everyone by surprise...but not the ER doctor Groomsman who fled to his side, took his pulse, yet stopped short of mouth to mouth as he came to. He sat down for the rest of the ceremony while chugging his water. Whew, that was a close one.

Me with the Bride pre-ceremony

Still there?? Good! Because I'm pretty much finished. The wedding was this past weekend and now I am finally home...for the next two weeks! This week, Eric isn't here, but I have been finding things to do, mostly which I realized have consisted of this girl.

Thank you Brittany for keeping me company with runs, dinners, movies, talks, and coffee shops.

That's all for now folks, hope you made it!