Phone-age

So, the guy, Justin, at Alltel is my hero for today. My brother and sister are on my account and we were all a little concerned about what this years phone bills would look like with me canceling mine, and them not having money, etc.

Let's just say, when I prayed for "favor", I was NOT expecting THIS. (Thus Eph. 3:21- "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think...")

I went into the store anticipating paying $200 to cancel my plan for the year (yuck)- and never being able to get my number back. I was also anticipating having frustrated siblings-- that had to pay for their phone bill, or cancel their plan, or change numbers, or something.

As it turns out, my parents and I combined our plans (kinda wish we did this years ago), made mine a "shared line" and the bill is $1 less than what I normally pay every month-- so not only am I keeping my phone for $10 a month (which is cheaper than canceling the plan altogether!) but I get to keep my number, we're saving a bunch of money, I'll have a cell phone when I (hopefully) come home for Christmas, AND when I move back to the states!

Is that not UN-BELIEVABLE?!

I know this is a boring post, but I'm WAY excited about it...*shocker*

I know a bunch of you are praying for me- thank you so much!!! (And don't delete my number from your phone!)

web cam's set up!

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...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOMMY!!!

 

Isn't she beautiful?!

Today, we celebrate the 29th anniversary of my mother's 21st birthday!!!

Please comment and tell how YOU love my mom and what tremendous fruit you see. Let us take this time to show honor to those who deserve honor--and that, is my mommy.

Mom,

There are a lot of things that I so highly respect you for, that you probably don't even know that anyone sees. Your submission to Daddy- your faithfulness to him and our family in tough seasons...continuing to honor him even when you don't understand what God is doing or how He's leading you through daddy; your self control: how you hold your tongue and don't slander or make faces even in your confusion, but prize your role as his wife in the midst of difficulty. Your CONSTANT intercession for each member of our family challenges me...you are so faithful to pray for our souls. What a comfort it is to know that in addition to my Almighty Savior pleading incessantly on my behalf, I also have my mother daily praying for my growth in the LORD. For protection and for blessing.

Mom, you have clung to the cross of our Savior in hard times; I've seen it. Even when no one was supposed to be able to tell you were struggling- you die to yourself so well. You're impossible to out-serve. What an example of Christ- as He delights to serve us, His beloved children, so do you, mom, find joy in washing other's feet. You rejoice in other's joy, you share in sorrow, you show great compassion and express tremendous encouragement each time you talk to someone. Most of the time those blanket statements are an exaggeration...but with you, its not. It's true. You are without question by far the MOST encouraging person I've ever seen, known, or heard of. I am gleaning from your example...attempting to imitate you as you imitate Christ.

It is an honor to have you as my mom; I am amazed by what a gift our friendship is-- how sad that I missed out on this in high school because my ego was so big - no one could barely fit in the house. =)

Thank you for forgiving me- my rebellious heart and harsh tongue...you never hold it over my head, yet encourage me at how you saw the LORD working in me even in those ugly and hard days. What tremendous faith, Mom. How amazing to see the LORD's abundant grace clinging on to you...enduring with you, helping you. I know these are not things you can do on your own...but it is by His grace, through your faith that we see His work in your life-- and how glorious it is!!!

Your pursuit in how you SEEK is amazing. You seek our God, you seek counsel, you seek wisdom. You are pro-active and intentional, one of the most humble people I've ever met, desiring to change, ready to change, eager to embrace a new and better way, even if it means more of dying to self.

Mom, you have been steadfast. You have not wavered. Your faith in our God has not gotten tossed to and fro. You have sought answers to your questions, knowing His promises to be true, and you've positioned yourself under His rule in beautiful submission knowing that His will is best for you. I know it has not been easy, I know it has been a struggle, but you have done it nonetheless. I don't hear you speak of how God isn't good, or what He isn't doing, rather when faced with the temptation to believe those things, you combat with "I don't know what He's doing" and then you flee to read Trusting God or Surrender to get your thought processing back on track. What an example.

You open your mouth with wisdom; and the teaching of kindness is on your tongue. You look well to the ways of your household and you do not eat the bread of idleness. Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Mom, your works praise you. You are such a blessing to others.

I love you- I want to be like you when I grow up!!!

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!!!

Nana

 
Meet Nana. She is the dearest of souls. One of my "adopted grandmothers." She serves me so well.

I attempted to take in a bridesmaid dress for Susanna's wedding in June, and I thought I did a sort-of okay job, but then I had Nana fix it for REAL and it made such a difference- this dress used to be floor length! Didn't she do a great job?!
 

This morning, Meghann and I got up and had chocolate chip pancakes, and Ann Roberts graciously took the girls so Meghann could serve me. We packed up the van...

 

...and headed over to Nana's. We loaded everything into her attic. She's letting me keep all my stuff there for the year! Isn't that such a blessing?!
 

Abs came over to help us, which was great. It took like 15 minutes to unload the car completely!
 
 

Nana, I am so amazed by the way you live your life serving others. Daily giving of yourself to serve Grandma and Ruby in the most mundane and practical ways- let alone serving your grandkids and great-grandkids...and then added ones like me! Your life sings loudly of joy as you resemble our Savior by the way you love others. You are a gift! I love you!

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!