June to August, part 2

I want to talk to you about two things in this post: good food and the grand canyon.

One thing we made sure was part of our trip was good food{not expensive, just good}. We mapped out all our food stops even before we left. Tripadvisor and Urbanspoon gave us all the info we needed. We ate the best little hipster pizza place{The Tomato Head} in Knoxville. I still dream about that veggie pizza. We ate the absolute most amazing fried chicken in a place in Memphis{Gus' World Famous Fried Chicken}. It was down an alley and looked abandoned until you opened the door and the place was bustling. It was standing room only. for chicken. amazing. We also had breakfast the next morning in Memphis at this supppppper cute spot called Cockadoos. The atmosphere was so precious-it was like having coffee in the home section of Anthropologie. delightful. Then we had our much anticipated burger stop in Texas. Blue Sky Burgers. The people weren't too nice but the burger was great.

We also packed PB&J's and carrot sticks as to not eat out every single meal.

Then there was our stop at the Grand Canyon. I didn't really know what to expect. I'd heard great things-but I really wasn't prepared for how stunning it was. When you are there and you look out into the canyon for the first time-it really does take your breathaway. I couldn't get enough. And, I'm not what you would call outdoorsy.

If God uses rocks to show His glory to the world then how much more does he want to show His glory through you and me. That's what I kept thinking about that day at the Grand Canyon.

{God created the heavens and earth. God saw that it was good. God made us. God saw that it was very good. Genesis 1}

June to August, part 1

Under the mantra, "you only live once" Brian and I set out on a journey that started on the East Coast, paused on the West Coast to see friends we love, arrived for 6 weeks in Colorado, and then returned to home sweet home. The following are pictures from our trip. We won't drive coast to coast again BUT we are so happy we did it once.

Sometime around June 6 we hopped in the car, prayed that God would direct us, keep us, use us and the summer began.

Our first stop was unplanned. We saw signs for the Billy Graham Training Center and immediately pulled off the road. We love Billy Graham. I have every book book that his wife, Ruth Bell Graham, had ever written. We were greeted by very warm people that suggested since our time was limited to head up to the chapel to see the museum. Within minutes we were kneeling in prayer with the lady(a volunteer) and the gentlemen(visitor like us) pictured top right{below}. We soon found out that he was a missionary and director of Operation Christmas child in a country in South America. He shared amazing stories with us. He also prayed for us in his awesome acccent. The room we were in was Ruth Bell Graham's prayer room. I was so inspired. Scripture was painted everywhere. She would kneel and pray in that exact room for the world.

{love this quote-O, God do more than we can even dream.}




CMA Fest was happening on our day in Nashville. It was craziness. 105 degrees. The city was swarming with tour buses and screaming country music fans. Every famous country singer was in Nashville that day plus Justin Bieber, Scotty McCreery, & Lauren Alaina. I was in "star" watching mode the whole day. Didn't see Bieber but did see the Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith.

We stopped here on our way out of nashville for biscuits & jam. Sooo glad we did. i hope to get "part 2" up soon. xoxo.

about a best friend.

Two weeks ago Brian and I packed up the Civic and headed to California to surprise my Bestie. The plan had been in the works for months but she had no idea. The roadtrip out was crazy and so fun{more on that in a later post}.

{Waiting for Katy to arrive!}


We spent 6 days together! It was so refreshing. We laughed the whole week.











After California, Bri and I drove to Colorado- we will be in Colorado til the end of July. We are taking Bible classes and learning a ton! What a sweet season of being in the Word.

S & A

In August 2009-right when we moved to Norfolk- we met Abby and Steve. And, ever since that Saturday afternoon in August we have been so blessed by their invested and sincere friendship. And, it turned out that their home was just a 10 minute walk away from ours. They are the kind of people that would do anything and go anywhere for you. They have taught me a lot about friendship.
For about a year now we have had consistent and crazy nerts nights! Always a highlight in my week{even though I lose every single time-and we've played hundreds of times}. But the best thing about "nerts night" is always the stories that we share between each round. Almost always when someone yells "NERTS!" (meaning that round was over) someone else would launch into a story, or a highlight from the week, or something that was making them bummed. We've talked about:

how long is too long to keep chicken in the freezer
babies
ice cream
country music
Trader Joes
American Idol, duh.
MVPs
RBIs
even UTIs
sewing garlands
iphones
5ks
losing people we love
uncooked calzones
the Hope College "pull"
dogs and dog parks
answered prayers
unanswered prayers
trips to Spain
cruises
broken bones
seal team 6
deployment
hot yoga

We just said our goodbyes. They are moving to North Carolina. A 10 minute walk turns into a 3 hour drive.

Abby & Steve were easily and are easily one of the best gifts the Lord gave us in Norfolk. We are forever blessed.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17


We love you guys!

God is great.

I remember sitting in the back of the youth room in 6th grade praying, "God, I want to marry a guy that loves you with his whole heart-nothing less. A guy that wants to do ministry and live boldly for you." All through middle school I prayed that. All through high school I prayed that. All through college I prayed that.

On May 20, 2007 that prayer was answered.




The Lord is so kind to give me Brian.
Amen.

Carrot Cake Weekend!

In celebration of my Dad's birthday we headed to his house for some Saturday cake making! Dad loves carrot cake. Dad loves maple cream cheese frosting. I found the perfect recipe thanks to the Smitten Kitchen!{The link is at the bottom of this post}.

If you are looking for a treat to give someone or make yourself- try this! I have had 8(maybe 9) cupcakes since Saturday at 3:30pm! *ohhhwelllll*

Here's the link:{fyi:we did add walnuts and raisins. We also used half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour} http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/12/carrot-cake-with-maple-cream-cheese-frosting/

Thoughts on...

A couple weeks ago I prayed: "God would you make me a woman of peace". I want to be someone that:

*trusts Him deeply.

*doesn't have anxiety as the default setting.

*has a light heart.

*"...laughs at the time to come!" Proverbs 31:25 {Someone that doesn't worry about tomorrow but smiles, laughs, welcomes whatever God has next because she knows He is good}.

--Fast forward--

Just a few nights ago I was sitting with my dear friend Ginny in her apartment. Her phone rang and it was the girl that lives in the apartment right across the way from her. We were super exicted to see that is who was calling because just 3 days before this neighbor had given birth to her first baby. Ginny answered and to our surprise and delight she asked if Ginny wanted to come over and see the baby & so I tagged along too.

Within minutes of being welcomed into this strangers home I noticed something very different about her. She exuded peace. She had this peace about her- the peace I had been praying for. Even though she had this 72 hour baby in her arms. Even though she had family coming in and out and in and out seeing the baby. Even though she didn't have time to keep the house in order. Even though she had never been a mom before. She had this spirit about her- a spirit that was gentle, kind, others-focused, still. It was just so refreshing. She even offered to pray for us as we left.

Then, the next day I was listening to this sermon below with my friend Amy. It brought even more focus to my "peace" prayer and I felt like it put into words the type of woman that I had just met the night before. If you have 30 minutes-grab some coffee, chai, tea{peppermint tea is my thing right now, Merry Christmas to all} & listen to it! It really encouraged me and I think it will encourage you too! www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=9784

So thankful that God can create in us peaceful, restful hearts. Amen.

In other news, I love coffee now. About once a week over the past year I would get a coffee when I was out instead of a chai or tea. But, then Brian's mom gave us a Keurig for Christmas{pictured below}. I loveee my Keurig. I still only have coffee coffee 1-2 times a week but what I am really loving is decaf coffee at night. with a good book or amercian idol. {below you will find my picks for American Idol 2011}.

My top 5 picks:
Casey
Tim
Paul
Kendra
Julie

the end.