The Perfect Christmas Tree

Today was the day we were going to get our Christmas tree. I have pictured this day in my head for quite some time. The weather is perfect. It's a nice mix of dreary December day with a romantic chill in the air. It smells like winter. I had always envisioned us waking up early. The new bride and groom getting out of their bed and sleepily walking into the kitchen, fixing coffee and sitting in their pajamas in the living room. The groom catching up on his sports center while the new bride grabs her computer to read the latest celebrity gossip.

They both eagerly get ready and dressed as they head out to pick their perfect Christmas tree. The bride wears her skinny jeans tucked into awesome "over the knee boots" (an early gift for herself perhaps) and a cozy turtleneck with an expensive cardigan she won from Lucky magazine. The groom is wearing his classic look, jeans and a plaid button down with converse. Very "jock hipster" as Dwight described Jim on The Office.

The couple would hop in their car, turn on their heated seats and head to the outskirts of town, maybe to a tree farm or over to the local charity tree sale. They would both be in their newly married world giggling and enjoying this time in their lives. Perhaps the bride would try and steal a kiss in between the trees or grab her groom's hand as they find the right tree to celebrate their first Christmas as husband and wife.

Then once the tree was picked and placed on the top of their car they would head back to their darling duplex for an afternoon of decorating and memory making. Just the two of them in their cozy home, adding lights and ornaments to their very first tree. They would set up the digital camera and take pictures by the tree, drink eggnog and and listen to Christmas music. Today would have been the day we were going to get our perfect Christmas Tree.

However, as some of you know, Blake has begun his residency interviews and over the course of November through January we will travel over 7,400 miles by car and plane visiting possible residencies. It seemed crazy to try to get a tree when we won't really be home to enjoy it during the month of December. So I have decorated our duplex and put out the small fiber optic tree on our dining room table that my Mom gave me forever ago. I have sacrificed not having a Christmas tree. It's really a small price to pay for our future. And I can have that same romantic day next year in our new home. And hopefully some day I can have that same perfect day as a family with our kids in tow.

I got to thinking about the amount of travel Mary and Joseph did during this time of year and 7400 miles in the comfort of a Honda Accord or Delta Airplane is nothing compared to over 100 miles on the back of a donkey full with child. But even more so, the fact that the Word became Flesh and left the realms of glory to dwell among us. Christ took the form of an infant, relying on someone else to feed him, burp him, clean him and provide his basic needs. He did all this so that he could ultimately one day find the Perfect Tree to lay down His life for me. What an eternal price to pay for our future! What an amazingly romantic day Christmas truly is.

John 1:14 (New International Version, ©2010)
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

So as you gaze at your own Perfect Christmas tree or perhaps your small fiber optic mini tree don't forget that this season is more about the other Perfect Tree.

Redesign: Obviously we will be traveling so much this season so please accept this little holiday card below as our Christmas Card. I would have loved to printed this out and mailed to all of you complete with our own little Christmas Tree. Maybe if I get a wild hair in between our trips I may print a few out! Merry Christmas.

Design (with purpose)

While I was engaged I went to so many wedding blogs.  Almost every blog had new ideas and inspiration for my own wedding. There is a whole other world of really talented, creative people out there. Most of them are like 10 years younger than me and way more computer savvy.

Wedding blogs became a gateway drug to all blogs. I found photographer's blogs, stationary blogs, event planners, homemakers, fashion diva's, you name it and I probably found their blog.  Most of my internet "favorites" are other people's blogs.

I love to peak in on someone else's happy life. I love to see what a cute girl on the other side of the country baked today. I love seeing what some girl in the Big Apple stepped out of  her house wearing. I don't even know her and I am checking out her amazing fashion sense, nail polish or shoe closet.  I like reading about some amazing, exotic hotel in wine country that some lucky blogger was able to check out for the weekend. I gush over a newborn that belongs to a cute married couple living on the beach while running an interior design company. Seriously, it's an addiction but yet these people let me into their lives via a blog.   (Uh i realize i do the exact same thing by the way.)

During one of my days scouring blogs, I ran across a tour of a stationary designer's studio. I loved her style, the atheistic of her office space and her attitude.  My favorite thing was back in her office above her desk where she did most of her actual designing there was a piece of art that read, "design like you give a damn."  (Sorry for the language.) But it stuck with me.  Sadly, I have no idea what blog it was, where I can find it or if I dreamed it up. 

But something about that little phrase really stuck. Don't just haphazardly splash some lines on a page, design like you mean it, like you care, frankly, like you give a damn darn! So thus begins my career change. My hope to establish myself as a graphic designer who cares, who has a focus. 

My life currently is in a very odd phase.  It's a good phase just odd.  For the first time in my adult life, I am unemployed.  I have worked at least one job, typically two, since I started college.  And now here I am with no job at all. However, it isn't a bad thing for a lot of reasons. (On the exact same week I worked my final day at my job in Birmingham, Blake tore his ACL and will have surgery next Friday-totally different story but he's doing okay just keep us in your prayers!). 

I am still taking classes at least through the end of this semester and I found a pretty amazing internship at an ad agency.  I recently realized I am doing as much as I can to immerse myself in designing.  Instead of just being a Real Housewife of Tuscaloosa I decided I would make a mantra for myself: Design  (with purpose).

So that's just what I am doing right now. I am designing with purpose. I am trying to be as focused as possible on channelling this free time to create, dream, design and grow.  Of course I have anxiety about money and keeping afloat through the end of the year.  But as always, God's timing is perfect because this enables us to get through Blake's surgery, recovery, the holidays and all the travel that comes with his residency interviews.

Of course this Design (with purpose) not only is about my career but also about my walk with God. I want to be His Design (with purpose). I want to seek His will for my life. I will admit that isn't always easy. Sometimes I feel like I am just floating along. Praying here and there, reading my Bible when I need too, going to church when we can.  But that isn't what the Christian journey is about. It's about purpose and glorifying God through our jobs, daily life, service, and relationships. We can have purpose in the here, now and not yet.  Living in the moment and building up treasures for the not yet.

Philippians 2:13 (New International Version)
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Colossians 3:23-24 (New International Version)
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.


Redesign: Besides my school work and the work I do at my internship, I also give myself a few side projects to get my creative juices flowing, to test my skills and to keep me designing. First I wanted to create something I could tack up on my fridge or at my desk to encourage me to keep going so I came up with the little layout below.



Then the next item is an inspiration board I am working on with a friend. (You know who you are!!) We are trying to come up with a logo for her new business venture. It's definitely in the early planning stages but the inspiration board has helped us both as we try to give the logo purpose and a focus!





Trick or Treat

I know this is a few days overdue but I think since there are still pumpkins and spooky decorations garnishing doors on my street and candy in my kitchen it seemed timely. Halloween is somewhat of a controversial subject among believers so I am going to not even touch the topic as far as "is it or is it not okay to participate."

All I know is that in 2nd grade around a certain holiday week, at my Christian school we had a spelling test. The book had the word Halloween as one of our spelling words but the teacher changed it to Christmas so as not to offend some students. So being the studious 2nd grader that I was, I studied only the words on our test. Then I got sick on the day of the test and had to take the make up test. Would you believe the word Halloween was on our make up test?? Seems totally unfair. Even to this day I want to find out where Mrs. Weaver is and ask her about this injustice. Needless to say, I did not know how to spell Halloween, missed it on the test and still often misspell it to this day. Thank goodness for spell check!

Other than misspelling the word, Halloween brings back fun memories of dressing up and trick or treating in our childhood neighborhood.  Usually there was a little chill in the air, and Mom would make us eat dinner before we could go out and gorge ourselves on candy.  Dinner was always something easy like grilled cheese and tomato soup or hamburger soup.  There was always that one house that was scary to walk up to and had some hidden person ready to spook you before you rang the doorbell.  There were the kids that were a little too old to be out getting candy and they always rang the doorbell way after you were already home counting your candy.  You had the people who parked their cars on your street and let out a van full of kids to raid your turf's sweets.  The memories go on, not to mention the costumes.  I think I was a Pound Puppy, cheerleader, ballerina, Raggedy Ann, a box, little orphan Annie, and a cat, to name a few.

 Even now adults get really into the holiday.  Dressing up as a celebrity, movie or tv character, or even newsworthy reality stars seem to have been the top picks this year.  Why do we like retreating back to our childhood holiday?  Is it for the candy? The adrenaline rush of being a tad bit spooked?  Feeling childish?  I think there is something nostalgic about the fall and winter holidays that bring out the kid in all of us.  We get to fall back into the mindset of an easier time and let some of the worries of the world fall off our shoulders.

It would be nice to have the innocence and naivety of a child.  To not be held responsible for knowing the consequences of eating all your Halloween candy in your room long after your parents have gone to bed.  But sadly, we can't act like kids and get away with anymore.  We must increase our knowledge and behave as such.  We can't throw caution to the wind because that's what we did when we were in 2nd grade and nobody got mad.  Our words, our thoughts, our reasons and our actions all have adult consequences. 

Same with our faith.  We must put away or stop falsely relying on our "children's church" knowledge of the Bible and put into practice the amazing abundant life that Christ had in mind for us as we grow in our walk with Him.

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.



-1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NRSV)

Just like Paul tells us in the above verses.  We put away our childish actions and see more now as adults and if we continue to abide in faith, hope and love we will begin to fully realize what is in store for us as children of God!

So I can still get dressed up or eat one too many pieces of candy this fall but I need to also know that my 2nd grade faith needs to grow up so I can begin to know more of the full faith, hope and love that God has for me.

Redesign: Something about the fall makes me want to carve pumpkins, eat chili and throw a party. I think these two invites would be pretty fun for just such a get-together.

Nesting

I have really been feeling the urge to nest lately. We are finally unpacked and moved into our new place and even though we may only stay for just one year I am ready to nest. I want to make our darling duplex as much of a home as possible. I want to hang pictures on the wall, frame photos from our wedding day, buy new art, and decorate each room with a cohesive theme.

It probably doesn't help that I also have a very close friend who is expecting. I am by no means ready to launch myself into motherhood but looking at fabric choices for her nursery or possible furniture and other items to decorate with made me jealous of her nesting project. After we spent a weekend together at an art festival, shopping at several baby boutiques and comparing fabric samples, it was time to finally nest.

We have a very old house. It was built in the 1920s so we can't nail anything into the plaster walls. So in the midst of Blake trying to study for his test, I was making him hang artwork attached to fishing wire strung from hooks in the crown molding. It was a tedious task but so far we have 3 pieces of art hung in our living room. One room down and about 4 more to go. Thank goodness Blake is tall!

So what exactly does this "nesting" thing mean? Why do we do it? Why do we try to settle in? How do we nest?

Dictonary.com defines nesting as the tendency to arrange one's immediate surroundings, such as a work station, to create a place where one feels secure, comfortable, or in control.

For advice on nesting there are several places to look online. One popular site is TheNest.com. A website dedicated to love, living and life for the newly married. It's an online community that is similar to theknot.com. It describes itself as your 24-7 virtual married best friend that offers advice on everything from how to get your permanent roommate to pick up his dirty socks, to how to inspect a property when you’re buying your first home, to foolproof recipes for entertaining the in-laws.

And to go even a step further Nesting Newbies "for a home tweet home" is a digital magazine with online cooking segments, and informational blogs aimed at showing those who are new to nesting how to cook, entertain, and decorate. Also, I just so happened to win a huge prize pack from them for the month of October so I'm pretty pumped to get my swag in the mail and use some of the cool items to start nesting with.

Is nesting spiritual? Is it right to want to settle in and find a secure place? Is it okay to make a place feel like home? Actually YES! The answer can be found in Psalm 84.

Psalm 84
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.

What a beautiful picture of nesting. The sparrow and swallow nest, they find a place to call home, where they can have their young, a place near His alter! We must separate the ideas of nesting here on earth vs nesting in the eternal. Tomorrow my kitchen-aid, new artwork and pottery barn duvet may all go up in smoke and I will feel empty and deflated. Yet, if my nest is found in His dwelling place, His alter, then may I continue to praise the Lord.

So while I may be nesting in my little duplex with Blake and Kitty Lynn, I will strive to continue nesting in the eternal house of God. It is the only place that I feel secure, comfortable and in control when my Father is in control.

As a part of my "redesign" I am going to try to incorporate a few of my own designs that apply to each post. Below is a welcome new baby card and an invite for a baby shower. Hopefully my collection will continue to grow as I grow as a designer!

Redesign

Hello...hello out there? So sorry to have neglected the blogging world but I felt like anything I had to say fell short. I obviously got married, moved and began a new chapter in my life and realized this blog no longer served the purpose. I never blogged without reason before. I never came online and began talking unless it was because the Holy Spirit led me to type. Typically with each update of my parents there was a lesson or trial I too was experiencing.

I didn't want to just begin blogging because it's what married girls do. Or because it was time to talk aimlessly about my "new" life. I wanted a purpose and reason to type/talk to y'all.

And so a month passed, then another and now 3 months. Yep, 3 months ago today I said "I do!" It was an amazing day and has been an amazing journey thus far. God has definitely showed me many things about life through the eyes of marriage that I'm sure I will talk about on here at some point.

But I felt like the blog needed a redesign. It seemed a bit stale. Not that I didn't love having my parents on the header but it was comfortable. As in our Christian lives sometimes we need a redesign, something different from the comfortable. We need something to jolt us into that first love we experienced long ago when we decided to take the plunge into this relationship with Christ.

So welcome to my redesign. I have a new background in my signature color of course. I have a new little blurb about me and I also have a new perspective about life. This journey will always be about God in everyday life and circumstances. I'm ready to see what he has redesigned for us together.

Sorry if I have lost some of my 3 followers along the way but feel free to come back. It's an open dialogue and let's begin redesigning together!

Only a few more days

Well in my rush to be a calm bride I have neglected my blog. The one place that often times offers a solace in the midst of a storm. I will say the wedding process has been very easy and as laid back as it can be. I think only once did I start to shed a few tears!

I am not all worried about the details. The end result will be that I am married to my best friend. Sure guests may not get food or we may not have flowers or I may forget to bring my dress but I'm still getting married!

One of my sweet friends and bridesmaids, Amy D., made this lovely prayer calendar for Blake and me. It offers so many amazing specific things to pray for us as we approach our day. I am giving it to you guys a little behind schedule but feel free to pray for us any or all of the days this week.

I promise I'll return with a few posts as a Mrs. I have a wonderful post brewing in my head about taking on a new name. I suppose I'll wait till after I get married as to not add anything else to my growing to do list. Thank you for your prayers!

Click on the image below for a larger version!

Tetelesta!

“It is finished!”

I have turned another year older today. I went home to Georgia this past weekend for my last final but of course fabulous shower with friends and family. I am so blessed to have such amazing people who love and care for me. Some of them have never even met Blake, others haven’t seen me in years and they all still shower me with gifts and cards and love.

I walked away from my shower so in awe of people and their generosity.

Little did I know, more was to come…

So to give you all some history, I have acquired some debt with my parents. It started about 5 and half years ago when I bought all new furniture. My parents were kind enough to tell me that I didn’t need to worry about a monthly bill to the furniture store that would have some interest and instead they would pay for it and I could pay them back interest free.

So a few thousand dollars later, I had new furniture and a little debt to mom and dad. Flash forward about 2 months later to someone telling me my parked car had been hit. I walk outside on a Saturday morning to find a 16 year old girl crying in front of her wrecked car and my wrecked parked car. It seemed like a good bit of damage but I wasn’t expecting them to tell me my car was totaled!

So now I was out a car that was paid for and stuck with about $5,000 to try to get a new one? My parents again stepped up to the plate and said they would pay the remaining amount left on the used car I wanted and I could add that to my debt.

So my small debt grew to a tad bit larger than I wanted. I made a point to get a receipt book and pay them back as much as I could afford each month. My internal goal was to pay them off completely in 5 years.

Well the 5 year mark is approaching this coming July 4th and unfortunately I still owed them a little over $2,000. I did not want to bring any major debt into the marriage but both Blake and I talked it over and said we wanted to make that our first priority and try to pay them off as soon as we could.

Well as of Sunday morning, June 27, 2010 my debt has been paid in full thanks to my amazing parents! As an early birthday present they presented me with the last little receipt I had sent with last month’s payment and wrote in big letters “TETELESTA!”
It is finished! And the verse from the cross when Jesus spoke those words:

John 19:30 (New International Version)
30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

I immediately began crying! For so long I had worked hard to pay them back. My tears were such a mix of joy and grace and relief all in one. I cried because I am no longer had that debt to pay. I cried that my parents had just wiped such a large amount away and I cried thinking about the freedom that comes with this gift.

I was crying over $2,000.

Have I cried over my life!? Have I truly thought about what “Tetelesta” means? Have I spent time reflecting on the words that my Savior spoke for just for me while hanging on that cross 2,000 years ago?

The beauty of our faith is that we don’t have to do anything. I don’t have to pay my Savior back. It is finished! It is done! I don’t have to do anything because of what Christ paid on the cross for me.

Its unreal, amazing, beautiful, painful, easy, hard to accept. It’s GRACE.

I heard this once from a Sunday school teacher. He said that it’s amazing to see Buddha’s last words next to Jesus’ last words.

Buddha said: "All conditioned things are impermanent - strive on with diligence!"
Jesus said: “It is finished!”

One great leader told us to strive on, keep working, doing things…the other great leader, creator of the universe, said the opposite-It is finished!

I am blessed to have such amazing parents who would wipe my debt away. I am blessed and humbled to have such an amazing savior who would do the same for me on the cross!

I may have to frame that last receipt slip-for a few reasons!

40 Days

That’s how long I have until I am Mrs. Perry. Only 40 days. I have been reflecting on the arrival of this number for a few weeks now. For some reason 40 days seems a bit more important than even 30 days or 5 days. 40 days.

You can do a lot of stuff in 40 days. You can change your diet, exercise plan, train for a race, flood the earth, be tempted by the devil, kill a giant…wait what?

Yes, it seems like 40 days occurred a lot in the Bible. Some major things happened during a 40 day time period. If you do a search for 40 days on Biblegateway.com, you get 22 results. The most notable are the flood, Moses on the mountain with God, Goliath taking his stand every day, Jesus in the wilderness and Jesus staying on earth for 40 days after his resurrection.

When I think back on some of these stories, it seems that 40 days was a time when God was preparing the hearts of his children. It was almost a holding tank, or a time when God needed to ready his warriors for battle. God was teaching them things so that they would be able to handle the aftermath of the 40 day period.

When you think about the result of what 40 days brought in these stories, it is mind blowing!

The flood-God created a rainbow as a promise with his children that he would never destroy the earth with flood ever again. It took a flood to eradicate sin and teach those that survived how important it is to hear and listen to God’s word and promises. (Gen 7-9)

Moses on the mountain-Moses was on the mountain with God for 40 days, while God gave him the words to write and share the Ten Commandments. (Ex 34)

Goliath-Goliath came took his stand for 40 days taunting God’s children until a young David came on the 40th day and killed him with his slingshot saying-I come in the name of the Lord Almighty! (1 Sam 17)

Jesus in the wilderness-Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness while at the same time the Devil came to him and tempted him. Jesus resisted Satan’s evil powers and the angels attended to him after 40 days. Then his ministry ultimately began as word spread about him and the miracles he was performing. (Matt 4)

Jesus ascends into Heaven-After staying on earth for 40 days after his resurrection Jesus ascending into Heaven and left the power of his Holy Spirit with us (Acts 1)

So what does this mean for me as I stand on the cusp of moving from being a single woman to a married woman? I know for one that it does not me the end, game over, the solution to my problems or the completion to who I am as a person. Excuse me, while I stand on my soapbox for a bit to I unpack this thought.

Too often in the South without directly saying it, females are taught that marriage is the ultimate goal. That finding the “one” is what will make you whole. That being married and having a family is the answer to any internal issues, problems, pain or suffering.

While I think marriage and family are hugely important, I don’t think they are necessary for living the full life God wants for us. I think too many young women make the mistake in thinking they can’t have the full experience unless they have a man in their life.

I know from personal experience that at one time I am sure my thought process was similar. However, I have learned so much as a single woman. God has shown me so many amazing things and a lot of these lessons never even had a man in the story line (no offense fellas). So I want to take these remaining 40 days to prepare my heart for the next season, the new phase, the amazing things he has in store for me after I say “I do.”

I want to accept in these 40 days that marriage is not an end to any current internal problem. I want to accept that whatever issues or sin I deal with now will be carried over to deal with and work through in marriage and more importantly I want to keep learning and growing as a woman of God!

These 40 days, join me in praying that I will become a better person independently. Pray that I will also become a better person for Blake. I want to embrace the beginning and not the end of what’s in store for after the 40 days.

God could show me or you some awesome things in 40 days. He could show us a rainbow, new lessons, kill giants in our life, allow our ministries to begin and teach us how to embrace his Sprit. Let the countdown begin…

Revelation 19:7: Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

Pray with me as His bride "makes herself ready!"

Save the Best for Last

No, this isn’t our first dance song. Although it was my favorite song in seventh grade!

This is exactly what happened at the first miracle at the Wedding at Cana. Jesus was invited to a wedding and he must have RSVP’d because he was there when the dreaded thought of the wine running out occurred.

His mother ran to him and asked him for help. He told the servants to fill the jugs with water and bring it to the master of the banquet’s table. (I wonder if this is like the wedding coordinator back in the day. I am picturing Martin Short’s character from Father of the Bride).

When the master tasted it he pulled the groom aside and said, “Why are you serving this now!? Everyone brings out the good wine at the beginning and saves the cheap wine for when people are too drunk and happy to notice!” (I'm paraphrasing here)

And so the story ends and the celebration continued and this was the first miracle of Jesus.


Interesting story on so many levels. After talking with one of my bridesmaids (Hey Amy!) we sort of hashed out a few key points.

• Jesus was invited and came to a wedding
• What Jesus touches makes things better

First, I love that Jesus went to a wedding. He was obviously invited and attended. He saw the importance of marriage. The very symbol of the Groom coming for his Bride was about to take place in his own life on a Cross in a few short years.

Jesus created a wine that tasted even better than the best wine served at the beginning. And for the master to recognize this in perhaps a slightly tipsy state says something about how good that wine was! Jesus made it better.

What can we take from this? First and foremost, Jesus is invited to our wedding, our marriage, and our life! I want him to attend. I want him to be the honored guest. I want him to be a part of our celebration. We are having this shin-dig in his honor- to signify the beauty and symbolism of the wedding ceremony and to rejoice in him bringing us together.

And I sure hope that it gets better and better. I think after several Couples Sunday School Classes and Pre-marital counseling sessions we can firmly say that nothing will get better, resolved or grow with out his help and I want the best wine to come later. I think with and only with Jesus help can the "wine" of marriage get better.

We are having a quote from C.S. Lewis read at our wedding. I absolutely love it. It is the most realistic approach to marriage I can think of. This, my friends, is just the beginning for Blake and I. I hope you will join us in prayer as we continue on this journey…the three of us.

From A Year With C.S. Lewis: Daily Readings from His Classic Works "Being in Love"

"If the old fairy-tale ending "They lived happily ever after" is taken to mean "They felt for the next fifty years exactly as they felt the day before they were married," then it says what probably never was nor ever would be true, and would be highly undesirable if it were. Who could bear to live in that excitement for even five years? What would become of your work, your appetite, your sleep, your friendships? But, of course, ceasing to be "in love" need not mean ceasing to love. Love in this second sense-love as distinct from "being in love"—is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by (in Christian marriages) the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God. They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other; as you love yourself even when you do not like yourself. They can retain this love even when each would easily, if they allowed themselves, be "in love" with someone else. "Being in love" first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise. It is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it."

-- C. S. Lewis



Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New International Version)
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.





John 2 (New International Version)
John 2
Jesus Changes Water to Wine
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."
5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[a]
7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

The Big Design

I just wanted to let everyone know who follows this little blog that I am still here and things are in the works to update all of you on a few changes that are to take place in my life.

I am sort of unsure how to approach the blog since things are changing. Obviously my parents are much better and in a totally new place compared to that cold December night in 2008.

The blog began as a way to update everyone on their progress and out of it a beautiful healing process began. I shared with all of you the pain of physical recovery and the spiritual redemption that we experienced and I hope in turn it touched you on some level.

I want to continue sharing what the Lord teaches me as I move from being a bachelorette to a newlywed but I am not sure if this is the platform for those experiences. My life is about to drastically change. Not only will I go from single life to married life but I am moving to a new city, learning to share my living quarters and going back to school!

I am enrolling in a few graphic design classes and chasing after a dream I have come to realize over the course of my 20s. As I pray about how to refocus the blog please leave your thoughts and comments if you are still interested in reading these ramblings.

I feel like God has some exciting "designs" in store for me and I can't wait to share them with you if you will let me in.

Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, cards, emails and encouragement over this 2.5 year journey. I continue to cherish these moments we have shared over this little blog.

Exodus 35:35 (New International Version)

35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.

Separation Anxiety

Blake and I have had phases of being a long distance couple in our 3.5 years of dating. When we first met he lived in town, just a few miles away. Then after about 4 months he moved back home to wait and see what med school would accept him. He was about 4 hours away and we did our best to see each other as often as we could and adapt to our new relationship as it changed and grew.

Luckily, UAB was where he ended up for med school and as quickly as he left Birmingham he returned back! We lived only 15 minutes away from each other for 2 years until this past year when he moved to Tuscaloosa for his 3rd year rotations.

We went right back to being a “long distance” couple and relied heavily on our cell phone providers and their unlimited text messaging and/or friends and family plans. Tuscaloosa is only an hour away and the weeks tend to go by fairly quickly and before I realize it the weekend is upon us.

The fall seemed to fly by because I was always headed to Tuscaloosa on game days (Go Dawgs-don’t worry UGA you’re still #1 in my book). The New Year started with a few surgeries for mom and an engagement ring for me. Here we are today in the thick of wedding planning.

Not much is left to plan really, just a lot of tiny details before the big day. But what I am realizing more and more is that I am so ready to live not only in the same city as Blake but also the same apartment with Blake. I am thrilled about our upcoming wedding but I’m more excited to no longer be separated by space and time.

I am eager to share a space with my best friend. Dare I say it, I am ready to have a roommate again?! Lately I can tell in my voice and his that each time we say goodbye at night we are both experiencing a little separation anxiety…Just wishing it was as easy as rolling over and turning off a bedside lamp instead of hanging up a cell phone.

Do you ever experience separation anxiety from your true love? Well the funny thing is you can’t. You can never be separated from the love of God. No matter what happens in life-good or bad-nothing can keep you from God’s love.

Life throws a lot of curve balls and change up pitches. Sometimes a curve ball comes and I’m not even standing in the batter’s box! But no matter what, I’m still receiving the redeeming love of my Savior.

Of all the verses in the Bible this one speaks to me the most. I think because of what it says so clearly. Nothing can keep me from God’s love-not even unexplained car accidents, cancer, depression, or even happy times. He is and always will be right by our sides.

Romans 8:37-39 (New International Version)
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Laughter

Do you remember the first time you truly laughed so hard it hurt? When you got so tickled about something with a friend that the two of you couldn’t talk you were laughing so hard.

I think for me that must have been in my family. My dad has this ability to keep a straight face while others are laughing so hard they are crying. He can make the entire family crack up and yet he never breaks. It’s truly one of the things I love most about my dad. People leave dinners with him holding their stomach because he has them laughing so hard.

I think other times have been as a small girl playing with my sister or my neighbor down the street. One minute you are angry they took your favorite Barbie, the next you are rolling on the floor giggling so hard that a parent has to make sure no mischief is taking place.

I think the best thing about getting married is knowing that I will still be laughing that hard with Blake for the rest of my life. Blake and I can and have spent time just laughing and talking together for hours just like he was a part of my family or one of my childhood friends. That even in some of life’s saddest moments, he has kept me smiling.

I remember one time in particular when we were in the car driving to and from the hospital in those early days of the accident. I wasn’t too happy in those moments but Blake kept my spirits up by making me laugh. We had and still have a long standing joke about Third Day’s music that wouldn’t make any sense if I tried to explain it here.

And when he proposed he popped out of a larger than life box and the first thing he said was, “Thank you for making me laugh…”

How can you not say yes to someone who laughs at your jokes!?

I think when God talks about Beauty for Ashes this may be a peak of what he meant. That despite some of the “ashes” in my own life-the sadness, the tears, the pain, the disappointments and failures that God knows and desires the “beauty” for my life. I think the beauty is marrying someone who makes me laugh. Who knows how to not only be my husband but also my friend.



We had some engagement photos taken recently and there are some that are amazing but the ones I think I love the most are when we are laughing. (you can click on the one above to get a better view) We are 3 months away from being man and wife and I absolutely can’t wait. I pinch myself sometimes just to make sure I really am getting to marry my best friend. Ouch! Okay it’s true. I am.





Psalm 126:2-3 (New International Version)
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

Spring Showers

So far we haven't had too many of the spring showers. The weather has been amazing despite the large amount of pollen on the ground and cars. However, as with every spring, I am sure some spring showers are headed our way. I guess it'll be nice to wash all the pollen away though.

This spring also brings another form of showers-Bridal showers! I am honored that I have such amazing friends that have planned these for me and Blake. We haven't really had to do anything or ask anything of anyone. We have our first shower this Saturday night. It is just a celebration dinner and I am thrilled to stop for a night and surround myself with my friends and family who have supported Blake and me through our relationship.



According to the all knowing Wikipedia-Bridal showers began when a father couldn't give his daughter a dowry and her friends and family would instead bring gifts to compensate. I wonder if my Dad is wishing my friends would pay for the wedding instead of buy us dishes right now?


Needless to say, this tradition has stuck and now every bride gets the chance to be showered. I am looking forward to this upcoming shower not for the gifts but for the friendship. To finally include the best part of my wedding planning-my friends and family. To look around a table and to be showered with joy at the amazing friends, parents and soon to be parent-in-laws that we have as a couple.

Isn't it funny that we don't share that same excitement and joy for all the amazing things God showers down on us? Instead when any anxiety creeps in my knee jerk reaction is to complain and whine and cry. I don't stop and thank God for the other awesome things he has showered down on me. I fret and worry and miss the blessings. Maybe the blessings are just time to talk with him, a roof over my head, food on my table. Simple things that he showers me with everyday. Like manna from heaven, God gives me the sufficient daily bread that I need until I start a new day with new blessings.

I think this spring, I will begin to first thank God for his showers. Last year my Mom was still struggling to use both arms and hands. Feeding, cleaning and other simple tasks were a struggle now she is helping me plan a wedding and traveling back and forth to Birmingham for fun things like meetings with the florist, dress shopping and now showers!

Spring is here in more ways than one. As someone just said to me today-He is making all things New! It almost brings tears to my eyes to realize how New we are from just last year. I don't thank my Heavenly Father enough for the showers he pours over me every day!

Spring showers are coming from heaven's skies-get ready to rejoice

Joel 2:22-24 (New International Version)

22 Be not afraid, O wild animals,
for the open pastures are becoming green.
The trees are bearing their fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.

23 Be glad, O people of Zion,
rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you
the autumn rains in righteousness. [a]
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.

24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

Unveiled

So it’s been a little over a month since we got engaged and much has happened. I think we have all the big ticket items in place and now it’s all the fun details that get a tad bit overwhelming if you start to list them.

Luckily, we have some pretty amazing people around us that have offered help when we need it!

Blake picked up his suit last Saturday and I just got the call today that my dress is ready! For some reason now that my dress will be hanging in my closet makes this all more real to me.

I still don’t have all the pieces of my wedding day attire. I have my shoes of course and sadly-I bought those maybe before I was even engaged-sssh don’t tell! They were just too perfect not to own! I now have my dress. I may have just seen the perfect necklace online today and I even have the garter. But I don’t have a veil!

I have looked at plenty online-bubble veils, blushers, and the adorable birdcage veils. I have tried a few on but I have yet to find the one I want.

For as long as I can remember I have always thought a veil was necessary. Otherwise you are just a girl in a big poufy white dress. It’s putting on the veil that pulls it all together. When else are you going to wear a veil?

It hit me this week-Holy Week-that the need for the veil is even greater. I love the idea that I’ll be walking down the aisle wearing a veil over my face with my father approaching my bridegroom. My father will give me away to my future husband and lift my veil. No longer will there be separation between me and my groom.

Does that sound familiar to you? If you get a chance this week pick up your Bible and read Luke 23. It’s painful and you will cringe and perhaps cry as you read the suffering that our Savior endured for us on the cross. However, take note of one of the last things that happened right before he breathed his last breath.

44 Now it was[l] about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened,[m] and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’”[n] Having said this, He breathed His last.

Did you catch it? The veil was torn in two. What does that even mean? Why is that even important to know?

I was blessed to go to a Christian elementary school and one of the big things that stood out was our study of the Jewish temple in Bible class. We learned all about the way it was built, the symbolism and the role of the priests within the community. One of the things I remember my teacher pointing out to us was the temple veil. The veil separated man from God or from the “holy of holies.” (Ex 26:31, 33) Even the high priest was only allowed to go into the sacred area once a year on the Day of Atonement.

But that all ended when Christ died for you and me on Good Friday. The sky went black, the veil was torn in two and Jesus breathed His last breath.

Man and God were no longer separated. Jesus ended the separation. The veil was torn in two. The Bride was united with her Bridegroom.

What an amazing image that is for me as a bride-to-be but also as a child of God. I don’t have to be afraid or approach with caution or be a high priest to come close to the throne of God. Christ ended all of that at the cross.

This Easter I am going to reflect on what that means to me as the bride of Christ. I have full access to my King. His Death and Resurrection made that possible. May you enjoy the freedom this week offers you. The sorrow of the cross allows you to rejoice in the torn veil and approach the holy of holies any and all the time!

Bought with a Price!

I’m engaged! My best friend and the love of my life asked me to marry him last Wednesday night-February 24th. I knew it was coming at some point but I was definitely thrown off guard.

Well it was a typical Wednesday for me-working out and babysitting. I ran a hard 4 miles at the gym. For some reason it was really exhausting and I was so glad to be done with it. So covered in sweat I went to the Janas’ like I always do on Wednesdays. I had a feeling it was coming this week but Tuesdays I have Bible Study and Wednesdays I babysit. I thought maybe Thursday or even Friday because my parents were coming into town.

So the dog was barking while we were finishing up dinner. I had just wiped off yogurt on my sweatshirt from cleaning up with the kids. I go to the front door and 2 Men and a Truck are there with the biggest box ever. They had a delivery for “Emily Adams.” Um…weird since I don’t live here. This isn't my apartment?! So I immediately got nervous and figured something was up but it was all a blur after that. I had to sign for the box and they kept asking me where I wanted it and I was like um…right here I guess. They also kept saying over and over it's really heavy! I was like -fine okay!?

So then as they go to move the box, Blake popped out of the box and got down on one knee and said, "I love you for making me laugh and for waiting on me even when I’m late, will you marry me!!?" I of course said, "YES! I WILL!" Flashes were going off and I was like who all is out there??? And so Alex his old roommate was taking photos. I have the entire proposal and Blake in a box captured for a lifetime!

However, I was still babysitting so I was like-come in we are playing Wii and finishing dinner! I showed Lily and she was proceeded to tell me she has a ring upstairs that’s bigger. And then Sam began attacking Blake for being his "futuristic man sitter!" Mass chaos until Mike and Mary Ann got home-which wasn’t too long after. Sorry, I fell down on my job and didn't bathe or read to your children that night!

As we were leaving, he gave me a bouquet of flowers and the sweetest card ever. I am sure I have read as many times as I have gazed at my left hand. I finally got to shower!!! And we went to cheesecake at like 10pm because of all people he had not yet eaten!! Ha.

The ring is perfect. He custom made it to look just like a little costume ring I have had for like 7 years but way better!



So once the dust settled down from the weekend and whirlwind of wedding activity I decided to reflect on the ring. I love to look down at it and see it there on my finger! It sparkles in the sunlight. Sometimes lights overhead catch the spectrum of color in the perfect cut and shape. I love having people ask to see my ring. I gush when I hear comments about how unique it is and how it is so my style.

Someone loved me so much and wanted to spend the rest of their life with ME! I have read the card he gave me over and over again and looked at pictures online of the proposal more times than I should. I get to look at the daily reminder that my future husband put so much time and effort into having a ring custom made for my finger.

Best of all I’m spoken for. I’m no longer available. I have a fiancé!

I went back to my favorite book, Lover of My Soul, and read the chapter entitled “The Cost of A Diamond.” The first line is quite simple, 1 Corinthians 7:23 “You were bought with a price.”

It’s interesting to think about how instead of a diamond on our left hand we have a Savior that has scars on both of his hands. That he went to great lengths to make sure I knew how much he loved me by dying for me. The cost of “my diamond” wasn’t money but an innocent life.

The empty tomb sparkles in the sunlight. Rays of sun bounce off the beauty of my perfect risen Savior. I gush when I hear comments about how special I am to him and how I was perfectly made.

He loved me so much and wanted me to spend the rest of my life with him that he was nailed to a tree. I read passages in the Bible over and over again about how much he loved me and gave himself for me.

Best of all I am spoken for. I am no longer available. I have a Savior!

My prayer for my marriage is that I will remember what it symbolizes. That I won’t forget it is the amazing picture of Christ and his Bride. The love we have for each other needs to reflect that pure unconditional love that Christ has for his children.

I am not perfect; we don’t have a perfect relationship. We will fail, hurt and disappoint each other more times than we care to admit BUT we have a perfect Savior who showed us how to love at Calvary. And that is True Love!

ps if you click on the photos you can get a bigger image of them!

A Whale of a Time

Mimi’s surgery went really well yesterday and is expected to go home this afternoon. Thank you for all of your prayers! They are always appreciated and felt!

I also wanted to share something that has been on my heart for a few weeks. It is very personal and honest but I think we need to be more honest. I think too often we try to let the world see this image of the perfect Christian under control and everything is together and awesome and great. That isn’t always the case. As a matter of fact, I am a little frustrated with God.

There I said it! I am angry and upset. I am cringing as I type this because there is that fire and brimstone mentality that I will get struck by lightening. But it’s not the case-eek at least I hope not.

Without saying too much on the internet, I just am going through an experience that looks, tastes and feels a lot like something I have been through before. I thought all the pieces were in place for God to bless me. It’s funny to type that but I’m being honest here. So in my human mind, I had all the “godly pieces” in place. I did all the right things and this time I thought it would be different, amazing, perhaps heavenly even.

But instead even though the outcome isn’t like last time, the feelings are very similar. Fear, sadness, insecurity, anger, frustration. And when I try to label the “who” and “why” of my frustration, the finger points back at God! Can I be mad at God? Can I be upset with my creator like that?

Well I decided to go back to an old friend. It’s a book I have had since my junior year in college. It really is one of my favorite books. It’s called Lover of My Soul by Alan D. Wright. The chapter I decided to read was entitled “Pursued.” You can order it here: http://www.amazon.com/Lover-My-Soul-Delighting-Passionate/dp/157673269X"

The chapter begins to talk about how no matter what we can never get away from God’s love. It tells the story of Jonah. God told him to go to Nineveh and instead he went the complete opposite way. God pursued him in the form of a scary storm. The sailors were fearful and scared, finally Jonah confessed it was his fault because he disobeyed God and he told the sailors to throw him overboard.

God pursued Jonah yet again and sent a big fish aka “whale” to swallow him up. In the book the author talks about how he told the story to his son and said-okay now a big whale will come and eat Jonah up! The little boy stopped and said matter of fact, “No, Daddy the whale doesn’t eat Jonah he saves Jonah!”




What an a-ha moment that was for me in college and even now! God loves me so much that he continues to chase and pursue me to get my attention that even what I think is a horrible scary whale coming to swallow me up maybe it is just what I need to save me.

I can’t see it that way now. I don’t get it just yet but I am paying attention. And I think its okay to say I’m angry right now and still confused but I’m all ears God for what you have in store!

I think the best part is the way God gets Jonah out of the whale is by having the whale throw him up onto the sand. Check out verse 10 below. Again not something that sounds very nice but God has a funny way of making things work out for the best.

Jonah 2
Jonah's Prayer
1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2 He said:
"In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
From the depths of the grave [a] I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
3 You hurled me into the deep,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
swept over me.
4 I said, 'I have been banished
from your sight;
yet I will look again
toward your holy temple.'
5 The engulfing waters threatened me, [b]
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you brought my life up from the pit,
O LORD my God.
7 "When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, LORD,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.
8 "Those who cling to worthless idols
forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
9 But I, with a song of thanksgiving,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
Salvation comes from the LORD."
10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

You Are So Good

***Update***
I have been meaning to post this sooner but Mimi's cancer came back and she is having surgery tomorrow to remove another lymph node. Please keep her in your prayers and let's pray this eradicates the cancer this time!
***Update****


I will post a longer blog later but I started my morning with this song from Enter the Worship Circle-Third Circle! It's called For My Ashes. I think I need to invest in all of the Enter the Worship Circle CDs. They have changed my life because of their lyrics. Thanks to my big sister for giving me the first CD!



For my ashes You give me beauty

For my mourning You give me joy

For my tears, Lord, You give me kisses

Oh, yeah, that`s how good You are

Oh, yeah, that`s how good You are

Gracious and Compassionate

You are so good, You are so good

Slow to anger, rich in love

You are so good, You are so good

In the Homestretch

As a runner, one of the favorite parts of almost every run is the homestretch. The last mile or so when I know I'm almost done with a grueling run. I mentally feel better just knowing I am headed towards my car or apt and that means I'm even closer to a shower, food and elastic waist pants.

I am running the Mercedes Half Marathon on Valentine's day in a few weeks. It'll be my 3rd Half, my 2nd Mercedes and my 1st time running the new course. Training wise-I'm in the home stretch. I have about one more long run left and then I can sort of taper off in my training. I know that when I round mile 12 on February 14th, I'll really be in the homestretch of these past 8 weeks of training.

I think in a lot of ways my parents are in the homestretch. My Mom just got the go ahead to drive again and is hopefully rounding her mile 12 and headed to the finish line of recovery. My Dad is in the homestretch of his career and heading towards retirement. My prayer for both of them is that they will mentally and physically enjoy the homestretch.

The best part of the homestretch is the mental relaxation that takes place. Thoughts of water and BBQ (every Birmingham race serves BBQ at the post-race party) fill your tired mind and it allows you to just enjoy the last mile. To just push on to the finish line and let the wind blow through your sweaty hair as you finish the task.

However, I think a lot of times I fall into this homestretch mentality with my Christian walk and that is a huge mistake. I mentally let my guard down and dream of my life beyond the one I am called to live. I don't think the homestretch ever occurs for us on earth. I think as Christians we must constantly be running this race. We are called, chosen people!

Ephesians 1:4-6 (New International Version)

4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he[a] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

In Bible study and even in my own personal time with God, I have been reading a lot about taking up our cross daily. DAILY being the key. We can't become complacent and say, "Well I took up my cross on Monday and it's Friday so I'm in the homestretch."

The beauty of "taking up our cross daily" is that the cross is where restoration, redemption and grace can be found and instead of dreading the idea of taking up our cross let us revel in the beauty that the cross represents and know that we are chosen.

I am reading "Into the Word" by Anne Graham Lotz and she said something so thought provoking. I am paraphrasing here but she said something along the lines that-If we take up our cross daily be ready because after the cross comes the power, resurrection and the glory.

So how can we not take up our cross? The homestretch is waiting for us in the afterlife and I have a feeling there will be a lot more to be excited about than just BBQ and elastic waist pants!

Luke 9:22-24 (New International Version)

22And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."

23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

Ashes to Beauty

I named this blog after the verse in Isaiah:
Isaiah 61:3 (New International Version)

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

It was such a beautiful picture in my mind when I was feeling utterly hopeless in the days after my parent's accident. I wanted to experience beauty from these ashes, gladness for my mourning and praise in place of my despair. I wanted and craved all those things and I knew the only way to find beauty in the madness and calamity my family was experiencing was at the foot of the cross.

In the hours, days, weeks, months and now a year, I found moments of beauty. Whether that came from a phone call, email, visit, prayer, good reports from doctors or laughter from my parents, I knew that ultimately there would be gladness for mourning.

I have tried to start 2010 more positive. I have a running joke with some of my friends that whatever resolution or goal you want this year just insert it into the year. For example 20honest10, 20loseweight10, and so on. Not sure why we think this is so funny or helpful but it works!

20beautyforashes10!

I am ready for the beauty AND I am seeing the beauty! In weird small ways God is showing me that He is here and has been all along and the days ahead won't be so hard. The days ahead will have trials but He has already overcome those.

Mom is doing really well for having two recent surgeries. She is in less pain and is ready to start healing. Thank you to all who have read my blog and responded. She is always in such good spirits when I call and talk to her. She either has just gotten off the phone with someone, read a note in the mail or has someone coming over to visit or bring food.

You are all too kind to my family! I hope that my words express the gratitude in my heart. I am so amazed every day by the love shone to them and your care and concern. 20thankyousomuch10 (okay sorry enough with that).

Anyways-I wanted to share a song with you. It really translates what Ashes to Beauty looks like. It is when we find Beauty no matter what at the cross where he suffered for us.




Kathryn Scott
At the Foot of the Cross

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received

And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart
Now I can

Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death You bore for me

I'm laying every burden down
I'm laying every burden down

God is Victorious

I just wanted to share something with all of you out there. I follow a few blogs since my parent's accident and one that I have been following faithfully is Katherine Arnold Wolf. She is a few years younger than me and attended Samford at the same time I was there. She was Ms. Samford and Ms. Alabama. Let me just say flat out-She is beautiful. She was one of those girls you would walk pass on the sidewalk and just stare at because she was so pretty but also seemed so approachable or was always laughing. We didn't know each other and have never met. Yet her story and journey has touched parts of my heart so deep its hard to explain.

The video below gives a bit of background about her story, her brain injury and her life now (which medically should not exist). Please take a moment to watch (i hope I posted the video right!!). You will be blessed and know that whatever struggles you are experiencing, God is Victorious. God is in the business of working miracles and giving Restoration. The word Restoration continues to crop up repeatedly just in these first 7 days of the new year. God can make things whole again. It may not look like what you thought it would look like but have no doubt that He "binds up the brokenhearted." Isaiah 61:1




Here is the you tube link if I didn't post it correctly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59YMj7fFxfQ

Katherine's own blog
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katherinewolf

A New Year! A New You!

I’m sure many of you made New Year’s Resolutions this past Friday. I have always been a fan of resolutions. I like the idea of a clean slate, a blank chalkboard. The thought of having 365 days ahead of me with untold stories and adventures. To give myself a chance to accomplish something. To have a whole year to improve my self and to try to give back to those around me.

I will be very honest and say I did not have this outlook last January. I was dreading each day and the untold stories. Stories of gloom, sadness and despair. I think I could even turn a happy day into a sad one. I am not normally a negative person and I always try to find the silver lining. However, I think the only bright spot I could find in 2009 was the last day on the calendar, Dec 31st. The day I could kiss 2009 behind and my poor attitude.

So here we are facing 2010. What can you do with days ahead?

I think our sermon on Sunday is too good not to share. I attend Dawson Memorial Baptist in Homewood and Dr. Gary Fenton preached an excellent sermon that I really needed to hear. I am pretty sure the things to avoid were the things I wallowed in last year. My hope and prayer is that I use 2010 as a chance to move forward.

The sermon was based on Eph 6: 10-20 (Putting on the Full Armor of God) and was entitled, “Protecting Yourself From Evil.” Dr. Fenton went on to say that sometimes that evil lurks within us!

The 3 major points he discussed were as follows:
1. Protect yourself from Self Pity and have faith in God’s Goodness. If we continue to dwell in a woe is me attitude what we are really saying is that we don’t trust God and his ultimate goodness. God is good at ALL times! He will overcome!

2. Protect yourself from Despair and have faith in God’s Victory. Sometimes his victory is not physical healing or what we think is a victory but He will be victorious in the situation and circumstances. His purpose will be fulfilled.

3. Protect yourself from the “sin” of Cynicism and have faith in God’s Power. God can change us. He has the power to make us a new creature and to restore us. Because of what his Son did on the cross, we are now able to be made whole and complete.

When we are faced with evil whether external or internal we have a few choices to either run, deny, fight by ourselves or join God in his ability to restore and allow him to make broken things whole again.

Will you join with me in 2010 and pray that we can make our broken hearts and dreams of 2009 whole again with God’s redemptive power?


Please continue to pray for My Mom as she heals. She is pretty down these days and in a great deal of pain. I know she is overcome with the thought of the long healing road ahead. As I have said before, if you have the chance to call or stop by please feel free. I know she would love the company.

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