Virginia so far

 
Dear, sweet Lindsay has sacrificed a ton to be here with me in Virginia. She's been in Orlando for a total of 4 days in the last like 3 weeks. What an insane blessing to have company in the car...
 
...even when she was sleeping. =)
 
We were greeted at my parents' by Drew, Gwen, and Michaela Ray. Gwen is David Powlison's daughter and was the one who introduced me to Sovereign Grace. I can't even explain to you the innumerable ways Gwen has been an example to me, served me, encouraged me, and shown Christ's compassionate love by her listening ear. Oh my Johnny.
 

Drew was my youth group leader for the last two years of high school, and then my "boss" when I worked as the Middle School director for my "in between year" in Virginia. They are extremely dear to my heart. They're moving to Pennsylvania the same day I leave for Wales. Drew will be taking classes at Westminster Theological Seminary. I cannot WAIT to see how the LORD uses this family!
 
Justin's played hockey all weekend-- this was Lindsay's first hockey game! Unfortunately they lost by one, but they had golden goal, overtime, a shoot out, and then sudden death. It was very intense.
 
We've been celebrating my mom's birthday all weekend- over and over again. How fun!
 
 

Lindsay made her famous lasagna- it was uh-mazing. She has served since the moment we got here!
 
Mommy opening cards and gifts.
 
This was our Sunday at Sovereign Grace Church in Chesapeake. We loved it. We were warmly greeted by MANY and will mostlikely have dinner with the Benson family (Peter Benson is going to Wales) tomorrow night.
 
Justin got a mohawk for about 20 minutes.
 

...just long enough to take pictures.
 
Lindsay has been searching for sunglasses like this for over 7 months. She found them right before the worship conference, and then somehow lost them before leaving the mall-- but we found another pair JUST like them. She is very excited. =)
 
We surprised my mom by having JJ and KT drive from Richmond for "family day" today. I made bbq and honey chicken, asparagus, and my mom's fave salad- with blue cheese and peppered almonds. Meghann introduced me to it. (As she's taught me pretty much most of what I know about cooking!) It's uh-mazing.
 
The cake! (Just be grateful you can't hear the horrible singing. Lindsay wasn't used to not hearing a 4-part harmony 'Happy Birthday.')
 

My sweet Mommy.
 

And then we practiced Lindsay's updo for being a bridesmaid in a month!

Wow. So that's not really even 1/2 of what's really happened. There's been a lot of laying out at the pool, LOTS of Olympics- (and being completely irritated by the gymnastics judging), laughing pretty much constantly-- mostly at how cute and encouraging my mom is, several trips to Harris Teeter for groceries, and some wonderful sleeping in. Lindsay's staying an extra night due to Hurricane Fay's arrival. Then, we'll have a few family days before Vanessa and Emy P visit from C'ville!!! Joy gets back from Young Life Camp at Lake Champion on Saturday night and I cannot wait to see her. I can't believe I'll be on a plane to Wales in a week...

More faces...

I stand corrected. Kind of. There has been complaint that I did not blog about the Jones family when yes, I did, in fact, practically live with them for about 6 months while working at Disney in '05.

Goodness, I can't decide which to recount- all I learned from them then, or all I've learned from them SINCE then.

Let's just say, when I'm asked to tell my testimony, it cannot be told without the mention of this family. I believe I had a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as my LORD and Savior when I was young, but a lot of the LIFE CHANGE didn't happen until the LORD worked in my heart while at Metro Life Church from January to August of 2005. And Danny, Melodye, Lindsay, and Abbott were incredibly huge instruments in this life change. And being with them practically every day for 6 months- watching their interactions, praying with them, hearing their observations, and being blessed by their fellowship directly resulted in perspective adjustment in my eyes.

For the next year of living in Virginia, Danny regularly received emails from me asking incredibly bizarre questions about his beliefs, Scripture, and Sovereign Grace Ministries. He kindly replied to ALL of them even though his inbox undoubtedly had at least 800 OTHER emails waiting for him.

Melodye has made me feel like I just fit right in with their family and all that's going on. She's made extra for dinner MANY times asking if I'd stay (and by "extra" I mean a lot more than they would've had if I wasn't there...), she's offered godly counsel on...oh, pretty much every topic imaginable. Never afraid to tell it like it is, covered with love and grace. What a blessing.

Abbott is my adopted little brother. He picks on me, makes fun of me, and even gangs up on Lindsay with me. I'm convinced he's going to do something HUGE with music in the years to come. He's not only constantly TALKING about music, but he's always recording for other people, or has a new song up his sleeve. I have tons of memories sitting on Lindsay's bed listening to them play and goof off. Abs, your improvement with the violin has increased TREMENDOUSLY since I first met you!!!

Oh, Lindsay, where do I begin? I so value our friendship. It's such a gift. Incredibly unique. Wonderfully sanctifying. Exceptionally deep. Through you, the LORD has taught me so much about accountability, communication, relationships, forgiveness, love defined Biblically, expectations, and the immenseness of my sin. Look at that list (*shocker*- I have a list!): all eternally beautiful things- what a treasure! I think what I value MOST about our friendship is: honesty. No matter what season of life we're in, or what we're struggling with, circumstances that are going on, or sin patterns we're dealing with, the fact that we can be HONEST about where we are has served me in amazing ways over the years. I'm literally out of words. I know, you can't believe it- but I keep sitting here with long pauses thinking- there's so much to write I don't even know where to begin! Windex, Code Blue, porcupine, balloon animals (ok, that's Julie's joke...), Cirque du Solie, Bloomin' Onions, care packages and cards, hours on the phone, and oh, our many many many walks. Wonder how many calories we've burned together. Recently making the loop 3 times every time we go because the conversation lasts longer than the walk! I am so grateful for the role you play in my life. Thank you for your love for me, your investment in me, and for your readiness to forgive. I'm learning a lot from you. I love you more than you know!