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!
 

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!!!

Last Home Group

Taraleigh and Kyle



We had my FAVORITE for dinner: CHEESEBURGERS!!!





I love the Davis family.



Surprisingly enough, that's like half the single's girls in our home group...really.

Ah, it has begun. The beginning of the end. Pretty much from here on out its "goodbyes". The "lasts". Last Home Group, last Deluge, last dinner at Kyle and Tara's, last Sunday, last hugs.

The sadness of leaving is not minimizing the excitement in my heart of going- but right now, the "leaving" is hitting hard. We have the best home group in the whole world.

These two years have been rich with learning, growing, moving =), and building relationships. They've been full of tears, laughter, inside jokes at Starbucks, very difficult seasons, crazy stories you wouldn't believe, and lots and lots of LOVE. Growth in love for my Savior and also love for those He's placed around me to live life with.

I am so glad that I have a hope that things will not deteriorate from here...but increasingly get better. Leaving is difficult, but what lies ahead will be far much greater than I could possibly imagine. What a hope we have!

24 days and running

Wow. I can't believe it. Only 24 days left in Orlando for the next year. That's so sad...

So, let's not think about it. Instead, let's think-- only 24 days left of me being like I am now! Once my Waling adventure begins, I'm sure to be changed for life!

Immense grace continues to cover every day as I prepare- grace when I sin, grace in struggles, grace in fears, and grace for HOPE in future grace. It's amazing! The LORD, in His kindness, continues to use even this "transition" season to grow my awareness of my DESPERATION for Him. My recognition of my dependence upon Him. I simply cannot do this without His help. He's tangibly showing me how true this is.

I went for a run today. Shocked? Ya, so was I. (After CRUSHING Emily, Lindsay, and Jordan at Ultimate Frisbee on Saturday with Elizabeth and David, I began to realize how incredibly out of shape I truly am. It took me probably an hour to recover and breathe normally. LAME-O.)

On my run today (in the frizz-creating weather), I listened to Hillsong United. I highly recommend them as audio for your next work out session. Especially the song, "My Redeemer Lives"...I was so pumped and fired up, I think I ran faster every time the chorus came on. He lives!

The next song was "All I need is You." Oh wow. How wonderful to repeat over and over and over again. Looking at the pavement, seeing the winding path ahead of me, working hard, out of breath, yet feeling SO EMPOWERED to continue on...because all I need is HIM! He has given me ALL I need for life and godliness. HE is all I need. My Portion. My Cup. My Everything. I'd love to take you all with me- my friends, my family, my pastors, my local church...and there are ways that I desperately need you. Your examples, your encouragement, your observations and correction...

But my Savior has fulfilled my greatest need by paying my debt for my sin so I can have relationship with the Father! And in this adventure to Wales, HE is all I need. His constancy. His steadfast love. His promises. His mercy NEW every morning! (right, Jules?)

So as I leave you in 24 days to go to Virginia, my faith is fixed on future grace. My King will take care of me. He has gone before me. And He will go with me. His truth never changes, and His Word is perfect. The most important things will always be the same. How comforting.

So as you go about your day and are humbled by the numerous things that you need (food, sleep, relationships, etc.) be ENCOURAGED that these merely point you to Jesus Christ; He is all you need. He's more than enough for you. And His grace, is more than enough for today.

Flight updates! (and help?)

The LORD is so kind. I was completely fine with traveling to another country by myself. Thought it'd be a great time to read, rest, and pray. BUT God's plans are way better than mine.

I'm driving my car to VA because my parents have purchased it (yay!) and planned to fly out of D.C.

As it turns out, four others from my trip (none of whom actually LIVE in the D.C. area) are 'randomly' flying out of D.C.- so that means FIVE of us on ONE plane to go half way across the world together. Isn't that cool?!

Two of them are guys-- you think they'll carry my bags for me??? =)

SPEAKING of bags. Does anyone have (or know of anyone else who has) a LARGE suitcase (or two...or three) that they won't be using for the next year that I could borrow???

We're flying out August 24th. I can't believe this is all really happening...I'll be flying out of the country for 11 1/2 months in five and a half weeks. So encouraged with the Truth that the LORD hems me in both behind and before!

Preparing with Hope

Ah. I, with hope, anticipate being a mom someday. Meghann and I took pictures of the girls yesterday. It is so weird to think that Jordyn will be over a year old when I return.

As I take lots of mental "snap shots" in these next several weeks- wanting to remember how things are now, so that I can be amazed at all God did in just one year, there is much HOPE. Excitement for change. Gratefulness for what God WILL do. Paul exhorts us to REJOICE IN Hope. Sure, there is sadness that I won't be here to watch it all take place- but SO neat that I will be able to see how God has changed others and what He's done in a way others won't be able to see to because they lived through it. Different perspectives are such a blessing, aren't they?

I am one who likes to be REALLY prepared for big changes like this. As prepared as I'm able. Like Maxwell House coffee...I want to enjoy everything till the LAST DROP. I want to mentally note every last meeting, being aware of how many more Sundays left I have here, counting down days so I ENJOY them and USE them.

It is in both preparation and hope that I find myself now.

Preparing to leave, yes. Preparing to go, also a yes. And both, because of the Father's abundant grace, are FULL of HOPE. I love that He's unlimited. What will He do? How will He work? Who will He save? How will we change? Oh, its so exciting!!!

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.