Toront-OH! Part 2: Make My Joy Complete

 The main reason we road-tripped to Toronto was for my friend Lindsay's wedding! Saturday morning I made certain to rise and shine, so I could get to the breakfast area -not for the best treats- but to see any familiar faces that might be at the hotel. Though we live in New York, I realized that some of my heart is still in North Carolina. Regardless of distance, I always knew the friends I'd make in seminary would be the friends who last a lifetime.

Ready for the wedding! 

Kim, Amanda, and Me

 I'm crazy about this sharp-dressed man. We keep it classy and still wear our Fitbits to weddings

including our own rehearsal dinner. It's how we roll.

Besties. That's all I need to say. I'm thankful for this friend. 

Six years ago we took a picture to mimic Beyonce's single ladies. We knew it was a curse because we remained single for years people! This wedding proved the ending of the curse. Peace out Beyonce.

I'd already had a good cry, but still managed a pic with Kari and Amanda after.

We were glad to steal a moment or two with the bride.

These are my people. These two pictures capture the words of John in 2 John 12 when he wrote he would visit the people of the church, so he could see them face to face and joy would be made complete. These pictures capture many things, and I'll do my best to list them all:

1) The faithfulness of God in the provision of husbands.

2) Friendships that last. Friendships that love. The blessing of friendship.

3) Shaved heads, bets, late night conversations, road trips, many miles running together, many more meals shared together, jokes for days and smiles 

4) A love for the Lord and bringing Him glory

(Meredith on the end was not a part of our group in school, but we met her at the wedding and welcomed her!)

Kari said it best when she mentioned "These are my people."

Yes, these are my people too. I am thankful for each one. Thankful for a reunion that makes my joy complete and brings refreshment to the soul.

Toront-OH!

Last weekend Jeremy and I took a whirlwind of a trip to Toronto for Lindsay's wedding! We picked up Amanda and Kyle in Newark and headed due North. This was about the closest time I figured we would get to Niagara Falls, so we planned a stop!

During the Raleigh days, I worked at Over the Falls deli. All of the sandwiches were named after bridges and the falls around Niagara. I finally found the Horseshoe! At the deli it was chicken salad on a croissant. At Niagara, it's one of the falls!

(They gave us ponchos because the mist is fierce!)

How beautiful is this! I couldn't stand it!

Amanda said I should sell my photo to the Falls for a postcard opportunity.

Me and my boo. The two hour stalemate at the border aka rush hour proved worth it!

Just me and my peeps on a boat at Niagara Falls. 

We made the trip to downtown Toronto while we waited for the wedding. These flowers were absolutely gorgeous and were EVERYWHERE!

The CN Tower and all its glitter! We refrained from waiting in line for an hour JUST for a ticket!

Stay tuned for wedding festivities and a grand friends reunion!

Sweet Carolina

The second half of our trip was spent in South Carolina with my side of the family. Jeremy was only able to spend a few days in SC due to a conference scheduled for work. However, he did manage to win over M just a bit more with his fantastic lego creations. Please note the smile behind the paci.

The theme of my entire stay revolved around my favorite M&Ms, and they were not candy-coated chocolates. This little gal got a play kitchen from me and Jeremy. She went to town playing with it once she got in the swing of things.

We took a quick trip to the beach, and I was showing off my One Tree Hill shirt. My friend, Amy, gave this shirt to me. It took me 5 minutes too long to figure the meaning out, but once I got it - Proud fan alert!

These small town sunsets get me every.single.time. A lot of family time was spent cheering on the Coastal Carolina Chants in the College World Series. 

I sneakily, or not so sneakily, planned Jeremy's flight out of RDU so I could see some favorites.

This fiery red-head is one of the best. I am thankful for her and miss sitting on her back porch eating chicken salad.  #maybeoneday

These girls. Small group fun friends reunite. Oh how I love them and miss their babes. 

The trip also included time with many other friends. I had quite the organized rotation going and was able to see everyone (almost)! Brownies and ice-cream, laughs and friendly faces, trips to Michaels, good Greek food and convos - this is what the Triangle is all about.

Sweet Carolina - South and North. 

I've Tasted and Seen: Expounding the IG post

"O taste and see that the LORD is good." Psalm 34:8

Jeremy and I decided to take a Saturday night stroll across the closest bridge to our house. The weather here is finally the stuff dreams are made of - no humidity, blue skies and bright sunshine. We've finally returned from our Southern respite of 2.5 weeks in the lands that are slower, more quiet and filled with family and friends. We were finally home.

I've been a ball of emotions over the last two weeks as I've seen many family members and reunited with friends left behind in North Carolina. On my IG post, I warned that I am not pregnant. The considerable amount of tears that have flowed down these cheeks have been in response to the Lord's goodness. Though I've seen Him work in wonderful, awe-inspiring ways, it is sometimes the simplest of things that allow you a greater intimacy with Him - morning walks with my mama; family outings for a downtown concert with a sunset to kill in the backdrop; stepping in the bath tub with sweet M so she wouldn't scream when the water washed her hair; the sweetest of friends getting a surprise engagement last night / the answer to many of our prayers; a husband who knows me better than myself; a road trip with a best friend where we didn't take a breath of silence; and familiar faces that I love because the Lord gifted us a friendship. There was much transition over the last several weeks as I lived primarily out of a suitcase, but I wouldn't trade it for a thing. 

To see the Lord's goodness in the smallest of ways has humbled me. I don't have perfect or even pretty days for the most part. Most days I never put on make up. Some days I don't even want to smile because I'm beating myself up about something dumb I've said or done. Yet, He is gracious. He is good. He is kind. And just like I can't have a small bite of a cookie and must instead eat the entire thing, when we get a taste of the Lord's goodness -- we desire it more. 

I am thankful for the Lord's faithfulness in our marriage. I am thankful for the answers to His prayers in the smallest of ways. I'm pleased to make those "sipping noises" as M pours me a glass of pretend tea. I'm grateful for a family that I have such a love for that I have a hard time of leaving them when I pull out the driveway. I am thankful today. I've tasted and seen...

Summer Bible Study Options

Summer is just around the corner, and I can't wait! Several years ago, I would gather my friends on a weekday evening, and we would work through a Bible study. I treasured those times to still have the opportunity to grow in my faith with women I loved and the Word of God. Now, that looks a little different being so far away! But I'm thankful for Skype and the advances of technology to keep a study going with friends!

These are just a few options of studies I've done. Gather some friends. Make some lemonade, and study the Word.

I'm currently going through "What Love Is" with my friend Ashley. The words of John have never been more refreshing. 

Elisabeth Elliot's "Keep a Quiet Heart" is perfect for a one-a-day devotion type book. Read one of the excerpts a day. This is such a challenging book to rest in the Lord and not worry.

I found "Streams in the Desert" after reading another blogger's site. This is a daily devotion laid out by dates. This is for the person going through trials, darkness and/or suffering. This book shines the light of Jesus into our lives. 

On another note and for something a little different, Jeremy and I have been listening to classes from www.biblicaltraining.org. These are courses taught by seminary professors taught on very aspects of the Christian faith - Old Testament theology, Ethics, other religions v. Christian beliefs, etc.

Though time slows down, take advantage and dive in to a new study this time of year when you have more time than normal. You won't regret it! 

The Bestie and Mama take on WP

The weekend of all weekends finally came! Amanda and the mama came to town! I'd been looking forward to this weekend for quite a while. Jeremy says I haven't shut up about it since Christmas. Not so. Orrrrr maybe. Either way, I was happy to have them here and show them life in this little area of the Northeast. 

One of my favorite things to do with Amanda is to walk the aisles of Target. We have it mapped out and would walk Target on any given Saturday night when we lived together. This is was the first time we were able to be in Target together since August!

We toured the Visitors Center, and I showed them the Commissary. We managed a selfie on a timer right in front of the barracks display. Not a single person walked by, so we felt confident in our efforts.

Do you see the cold in our eyes? Jeremy was our excellent West Point tour guide, unofficially official.

After a morning filled with Fuller House, we were ready to take the Vanderbilt Mansion by storm. 

I kept saying "Let's take a picture in front of the moose head." Clearly, it was a buffalo.

Notice my excitement. It's palpable!

It must be stated that the three of us LOVE a good tour, and this one didn't disappoint. We were thrilled to be able to take pictures inside the house. I, for one, tried to imagine the parties and all about the walls talking with deep secrets.

So it's not the Biltmore, but it is the same family. This was a "summer cottage". Eye roll.

I love this man. I can act a fool and pretend I'm all Gilded Age and he's just consistent.

 Before departure, we made our way back to West Point to see some parts outdoors because it was oh so cold earlier on the tour. The chain gang if you will.. 

These are my people. I cried happy tears when I had to leave them. My worlds collided into one place, and I couldn't have been more delighted. 

I like cookies and milk

Sunday afternoon was filled with all kinds of cookies, chocolate milk, gifts, games and friends. The result was my first bridal shower. I can barely believe the shower was for me. I've attended quite a few showers and hosted a few, but this was mine! It's surreal to even write about it to be quite honest. But God is faithful and showing Himself to me in great ways these days. Let's be real, I'm actually looking - He's always there.

Courtney and Summer did a great job with what I love best - Cookiessss!!!! Here's how it went down:

Thankful for these ladies - their honesty, their encouragement, their commitment to Truth and living that out with me!