Surrender

     Last night we had our Young Adult get together at my parents house. Its something our church does for ages 18-35 just for good fellowship. We had a fabulous time snacking and sitting by the firepit sharing what the Lord is doing in our lives. I couldnt help but think about how greatful we should be just for that... being able to sit in our back yard, and talk about the Lord. We all went around shared something the Lord is trying to teach us or is doing in our lives and its amazing how many people God is trying to teach similar things too. One thing I shared was that I really feel like th Lord is teaching me (and Nick) to Surrender. Which doesnt mean letting Him handle our problems whn we feel like it... but sincerely casting our worries and fears on Him and having Faith that can move mountains. Giving it ALL to Him because He has our backs. =) He is our source of EVERYTHING! We should seek Him in ALL we do! Thanksgiving is next week... one of my favorite holidays and I cant even to name everything I am thankful for =) Although Nick and I arent going to be with all of family and will for sure miss the ones we wont be seeing we do get to spend it with a few we are extremely happy to be with <3

Everything is ordained by HIM =)

   So after a very relaxing weekend and coffee with a lovely friend ;)! Yesterday I had to work from 7am to 10pm! And although it was a looonnnggggggg day it was a good one and thats what counts! And I received a phone call Ive been waiting patiently for for about 2 months!!! God is so good and has so many things instore for all of us. I think we as Believers forget sometimes that every single little thing or person or situation is ordained by the Lord. I believe personally that Nick and I have been in situations with family, jobs, etc in order to grow and learn from it and to have a testimony to share with others. You are at where you are right now because the Lord has placed you there.. The Lord really layed this on my heart this morning on my way to work as I was praying.. =))

Just around the corner!

    I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is literally right around the corner! AHH I love this time of year! Thanksgiving has always been a big thing for my family! Not as in we have tons of people because up until I got married, it was usually just the 8 of us. Mom, Dad, Thomas, Morgan and I, then all 3 grandparents! I think I have spent 19 out of 22 Thanksgivings in Greenville, SC! (maybe 20!) We gather at my Mama and Papas and theres this huge counter full of nothing but calories and carbs =) (my personal favs!) Its pretty much amazing! When you get married you have to learn the dynamics of your family and your husbands and how to make it work. Last year we were able to spend part of the day with some his family, and part of the day with mine. Unfortunately traveling further than Greenville (which is only 2 hours, 1 hour and 40 min if Nicks driving lol) isnt really an option.. =/ But im sure it will be fabulous as usual! The thought of going somewhere to visit makes me feel like we are going on a short vacation =D even if it is only 2 hours away!!
    God has been so good to Nick and I throughout our 2 and 1/2 year marriage, surrounding us with family and friends who support and speak the Lords favor over us! I think this year we would both agree that thats the #1 thing we are thankful for! Which means not just feeling but saying it outloud! Express how thankful you really are this Thankgiving! <3

Nashville... =)

    Last night the Country Music Awards came on! Live from Nashville, TN! Ahhh I absolutely am one of the biggest country music fans ever! I havent ever really had the money to go to all the different concerts but I have been to a few. There are so many up and rising artists is crazy! Believe it or not, years ago as a teenager I had planned on going to Nashville... I had recorded a demo and was doing a lot of performing. My senior year of highschool it calmed down a little bit then I met Nick (who would end up being my hubby) and have done an occasional wedding, funeral, and now sing in the praise band at our church! I have always known the Lord had given me a gift and cant wait to sing lullabys to my babies. Last night I was being silly inbetween commercial breaks and singing some really old country songs and my mom looked up and said  "you know I still believe in you"... I thought "do what?" She begin to explain how I had kind of given up (well may not given up but definitely put on the back burner)  my dream of being a country music singer because I wanted to get married young and have a family but she still believed I could make it! That really spoke to me.. So of course Nick looks at me with big eyes and says "There you go babe, we should try and get your music career rollin" I tried to explain to him how demanding it is and would be and he says, "so, id be right there beside you.." Of course Im thinking about the singers who were on the CMA's last night and how 90% of them had been in Nashville for years selling tshirts, bar tending, winning shows, and trying to work their way up before they finally got a record deal!
      That whole conversation made me think about my relationship with Christ and thats really how He feels about His children. He still believes in us even after we may have missed the boat (or think we have ;) , and Hes always right there beside us! So who knows what the Lord has in store musically but its worth some prayerful consideration I guess ; )

A Lovely thing I call marriage =))

  So as I posted on FB, Nick and I made a spontaneous trip to Greenville Saturday evening and came home Sunday night! And It was just what we needed! We saw some family we hadnt seen since July and got to spend some "couple" time with My sister and Camillo (her fiance). Morgan had an appointment to try on some wedding dresses and I have to say it was so special to spend that time with her! And of course she look beautiful in all of them! Shes been working really hard and really looked fabulous! While we were trying on dresses, The boys went and walked around the mall and did some guys things! And I love to see my Nicholas bond with Mello and my brother Thomas! It makes me very very happy =) Thomas and Morgan are both getting married next year... Thomas in March and Morgan in May! I cant believe it! Very special because Im the youngest and was the first to get married and now I get to watch them =)
   All of this wedding hooplah has brought back some lovely memories of my wedding planning and wedding day and to be honest it makes me want to do it all over again! =) Its such a special time and its so important to enjoy every second! I definitely enjoyed every second of mine and wouldnt change a thing.. but it would be fun to do it again! One peice of advice I would give to anyone whose engaged or who is wanting to get married.. Marriage counseling (no matter your age) is very very important! I think so many times people are planning, planning for their wedding day.. which last a few hours...and are not planning for after the big day. The next 50 + years of your life. And although its important to do everything the way you want it.. Think about it. On your wedding day your on cloud nine.. but sometimes reality hits pretty hard when you come home from the honeymoon. No matter how well you think you know the other person! Counseling was a requirement for Nick and I and I think it should be for all couples! To this day Nick and I discuss things that were talked about in counseling and it has helped revolve quite a few issues that have come up! Nick and I have been through A LOT our first couple years.. Job loss, family crisis, we've seen a marriage fall apart before our eyes and it was tough and emotional but it has made "our" marriage even stronger!
      Another peice of advice or encouragement (if you want to take it that way).. I personally disagree with "You are not only marrying your spouse but your spouses family".. Thats a load of cow patties in my opinion. Yes You may be marrying into his or her family but when you get married, You are your own,  new family! Its you and your spouse.. and although they are still your family and always be, and you have to consider them in some things and be respectful and loving, in the end you have to make sure  (in whatever decision is being made) that your putting your relationship first! (that deosnt meant you are selfish or dont love them, even though not everyone may understand why you made a certain decision you know the truth and know you love them) You cannot let someone elses problems come between your marriage =)
Marriage is a fun and exciting journey.. I know ours has been! Just keep the Lord the Center of it!! Thats the most important thing!

Are you in the "valley" ??

   Ok, I have not blogged in a few days because I was really struggling with what to blog about! And today it hit me like ton of flippin bricks!!! These past couple of weeks have been something else for sure and seeing so many close friends and family experience job loss or financial difficulty (because lets face it people, we are all struggling in some way or another!) is really hard on my emotions! I have a tendency to take on other peoples burdens and really feel them deep down in my spirit.. Through Nicks second (yes I said second) job loss in the 2 and a half years since we've been married we have always seen the Lord provide! But I have felt  more strongly this time around the Lord wants to show Nick and I not only that HE is our provider (not some company) and we MUST depend on him for EVERYTHING!!!! And also I felt like this whole situation may give Nick and I the opportunity to give encouragement, and understanding of what others may go through! And the Lord has come through once again (as HE always does) for us to do just that with some close friends and family! I cannot even explain the "peace" we have had over finances since this whole thing.. we have paid off 3 medical bills, put more money back sense nick lost his job than we had in a couple months, Tithed on a regular basis (and let me tell you, thats the most important thing you could ever do!)
   In this day and time, we (as Believers) cannot afford to be selfish with what the Lord has given us. I think if we all would work together and help each other out, things would be less stressful! Have someone over for supper if you know they are short on groceries, If someone needs you (or someone) to watch their kid(s) offer to do it for free, Pick up the dinner ticket, Or you could send an encouraging note, give a hug, a smile goes along way. When people see you praising the Lord through your storm in life, it can prompt that one person to do the same! I am going to confess this week has been just really slow for me.. I was feeling down and I am comletely exhausted just not feeling it if ya know what I mean and I got in the car to go home from work yesterday and a song by a group I cannot remember the name of (surprise surprise)   and it said I must go through the valley to stand upon the mountain of God! How refreshing! I think Many of us are going through the valley at this very moment, but just remember you will stand on the Mountain of God =)

What season are you in??

    I cannot believe it is November 1st! Wow this year has been flying by! But thankfully today actually feels like fall weather wise =) Ive been waiting for it.. <3 We had such a fabulous time camping Friday and Saturday with our church family out at Cane Creek. You know, its really neat to spend time with your church friends and family "outside" of the church walls! I had not been camping in over 10 years I think and I really enjoyed it. Well everything except all the granddaddy longlegs! UGH they were everywhere! (lol) Unfortunately we forgot to take pictures haha..
     You know with the weather finally starting to change, the leaves turning all these beautiful colors, it reminds me of life. We all go through different seasons and change happens. You may be in a season of financial struggle, of family issues, job loss, bad health... whatever it may be just remember that the Lord is Faithful. We dont always understand why we may be going through a "not so great season" but there is purpose and reason =) I say that from experience! Sometimes it also may feel like everything good or great is happening to people around you who may not even be saved and you think to yourself.."its not fair.. why are they prospering and Im not?" But you are prospering!!! You may be going through what you are right now because you are going to be able to give testimony to someone else who may be experiencing it later on.. or because the Lord is wanting you surrender everything to him and teach you that He is all you will ever need!  I know the Lord is teaching me and my husband that =) What season are you going through..?? Think about it <3