Happy Birthday, Ariel!!!

Since this trip to Wales wouldn't be possible without Ariel, I found it appropriate to honor her via blog. =)

Anyone who knows Ariel knows she's "THAT" kind of friend. She has innumerable times, sacrificed her time, desires, and preferences to serve me when I'm struggling. She loves being willingly inconvenienced to be a blessing to someone else. She prays for me almost as much as my MOM. (WOW!) She encourages me every time we talk telling me what a blessing our friendship is to her and how she sees God working in my life...and she uses specific examples. I'm not exaggerating when I say every time. I really mean EVERY time. She's the friend that raises $1300 for you to move half way across the world-- because she wants to support you in whatever you're doing...even if its the opposite of what she wants.

She loves TRUTH. She loves applying truth to her life. She has a listening ear to hear ways she can grow or better serve others even when that's not what's being discussed. She responds humbly to correction. She brings correction humbly. She longs to grow. To be changed. To help.

She's the friend that notices that you don't do well without a lot of sleep (or food =)- and instead of telling you to "get over it", she seeks to make sure you're able to get rest (or eat), and serve you in whatever way to make it easier for you to overcome the temptation to be short or harsh.

She tells every story the same. With the "OH NO!" expression as her hands curl and move towards her mouth and she lifts her right knee. And every story is just as dramatic as the one before. Always ending in uproarious laughter from the hearers, and usually with an unintentional dirty joke she makes...and then she covers her face.

She's the friend that will shove you into the men's bathroom on a cruise(don't worry, it was just one stall) as you're puking to make sure you make it to the toilet in time...or close enough.

Ariel is all blond. 100% Miami. Completely crazy and super FUN. Everything's an event. And if she brings her camera...WATCH OUT. There will be pictures of wallpaper, trash, light fixtures...you name it. (Right, Amy?)

She steals drinks from bars on cruises, gets hit on by guys who like her A LOT, has more embarrassing jokes being apart of a Worship Team than I've ever heard of before, and most importantly, is a friend Biblically defined. She is an answer to many prayers.

Ariel, I love you so much and pray that this year is full of JOY as you continue to position yourself to obey the LORD and whatever He has for you. He is not with holding any good thing from you!!! I anticipate many emails and phone conversations about our hearts, sin, and the abundance of God's grace this year!

Top Ten

As I head to Virginia for 10 days, I leave you with the 10 things I anticipate missing most about Orlando...

10. Days to Disney with Emily Sims (Thanks, Mr. Sims!!!)
9. My job- doing hair and being the object of wonderfully displayed Biblical Femininity all around the Orlando and Winter Garden area
8. My dear, wonderful, godly, loving friends
7. Cramming in the corner of Starbucks on 436 until they kick us out. (And then just moving the conversation outside until even after the workers leave...)
6. Watching Jim and Pam with Meghann and Steve and eating chocolate chip cookies
5. The Davis Home Group
4. Fridays with Kristen and the girls
3. The innumerable ways the Single guys serve us
2. Being able to talk to Mommy on the phone everyday while driving to whatever is next
1. Metro and its amazing, wise, humble leadership

Oh what a year it will be! I can't wait to come back!!!

Goodbyes

Kristen and Meghann, somehow, in the midst of caring for their husbands, their homes, and their girls, managed to throw a party with over 50 people!!! They are wonder women. How incredibly sweet. I want to be just like them when I grow up. Thank you guys so much for your thought, time, energy, effort, and sacrifice that you put into making tonight happen. I am so blessed.

There was a bunch of uh-mazing food
 
...and we started the night off with tap dancing =) that's for you, Em
 
Reagan is sporting her leotard-over-pants look here. Priceless. She's ready for the Olympics! I loved having all my favorite little girls in one place.
 
There were little girls everywhere! (Steph, can you believe you'll be holding YOUR OWN baby by the time I return?!)
 

...and when I say everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE
 
 
Amy made me an incredible book full of pictures, Scripture, letters, and encouragement that various people contributed to. That's when the tears began. I will cherish this gift so dearly in this next year. Thank you all for your very kind words, for your prayers, for your eyes of grace in my life. The LORD is using your encouragement to strengthen me before I go. What a gift!
 

Hugs and goodbyes
 
 
 
I know "goodbye tears" aren't bad. And I've been sort of holding everything in for tonight- only thinking about going and not about leaving. Well tonight, leaving hit me like a ton of bricks. I so love these people. With a deep, deep love in my heart- beyond words. That's why its sad to go. It doesn't effect my excitement of GOING, though. I am so glad to be heading on this adventure- and though this week there are many "lasts"...in two weeks, all of the "firsts" will begin!

We'll end on a happy note: this is my favorite picture of the night!
 

Prayer Requests

I've been handing out little slips of paper (idea- compliments of Gwenyth Ray =) for people to put on the refrigerator or tape to their bathroom mirror or whatever to pray for me as they think of it. So, for those of you who don't have one, here's what it looks like:

 

Waling Aug '08- Aug '09

Please pray for:

-a humble heart
-eyes to serve
-the gift of illumination while studying the Word
-boldness
-Sensitivity to the Spirit
-unity with team members
-inexpressible joy!
-REVIVAL in Wales!

The goal this year is to be equipped and trained in evangelism while faithfully serving the local church and my team members. Building relationships, and giving my life away- because its not my own!

Thank you for your prayers! This is the kindest thing you could do for me!

Last Starbucks Outing

 
Steph keeps Starbees in business. =)

 
...not sure why Dave is drinking a coke in starbucks or where he got it from...or why he's making that face...

 
dear sweet Ariel

 

Tyler Night. I mean, Day. And that would be a marble mocha macchiato- try saying that 3x fast.

 

Jordan and his frap.

 

I thought I'd get in trouble if I posted everyone's picture except mine. Scary, I know. I love you, Mom!

Charlotte peeps!

From left to right meet Taige, Kat, Ivy, Sarah and Mike. I'm leaving the country with them in 16 days!!! I can't wait!

Out on the Town

 

Steph got some home group ladies (and a few from the Taulbee's group) to take me out to Luma on Park Ave as a little "going away" night.

 

We had a BLAST. The service was excellent! If you go, ask for Sarah. I think the best service I've ever had in my life. Amazing food, extremely fun atmosphere, super comfy couch-like booths (complete with pillows!), and an insanely cool sink in the bathroom.
 

Then we went and took some pictures for the bulletin board in Wales. Ah, I'll miss these faces.

 
 

Steph, thank you so much for your hard work and planning- and ladies, thank you for taking a night out of your schedule to be with me- I love you so much. I had so much fun!!!

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!




 

Anticipating Friendships

Meet Ivy. She is such a sweetheart. I think she's the listener in the bunch of us and I anticipate learning MUCH from her humility and compassion this year. Look at her face-- doesn't she just look like a servant?!


Meet Kat. She's 22, blond, tall...and I'm quite excited about the possibility of sharing clothes! =) I have been so blessed by her pursuit of me and heart to serve our team. Her display of Biblical Femininity will be such a great encouragement and challenge to me this year. It seems we would be similar in our passion and wills-- which I know will produce very sharp iron!!! What a blessing. How kind of the LORD.

At this time next year, I will be able to tell you story upon story of how the LORD has used these two instruments of grace in my life. We will have innumerable inside jokes and memories- know each other better than we know ourselves, and have seen God's gracious and active work on our hearts and lives for a whole year. We will have spent HOURS talking, counseling, witnessing, crying, and laughing together. But for now, I tell you all that I know-- and all I know, is I am STOKED about getting to know these girls and eagerly anticipate what our King has in store!

Choosing Blessing

I don't have to choose between the blessings of Orlando and Wales. I get both. That's who my Master is! Never lacking in His gifts to me. Always giving more than I could expect, nevermind what I deserve.

Just got home from another Starbees outing (that would be Starbucks for those who don't know Ariel) with some of the dearest friends on earth. So enjoying fellowship. Laughter that makes my cheeks hurt...and as I sat there I thought to myself, "Enjoy. Enjoy these last 5 1/2 weeks. Enjoy these people. Enjoy these blessings." So I did. And I am. And I plan to continue. Not with fear of change (ok, who am I kidding? still battling that...)-- but change is inevitable...and necessary. And oh, I hope when I return I am changed. But enjoying who the King is in the midst of these relationships. Seeing His grace and His glory in these faces- His redemption in these lives and the testimonies represented; feeling a teeny portion of His love for His children, my friends, in my heart.

I hope to learn in this season to "pause" more. To soak in blessing. To wonder at God in amazement with joy and thanksgiving. Growing in love for His perfect character.

Oh how I hate to leave, and yet, can't wait to go.