Well, we've made it to another end of semester. Exams start this week. I thought we'd never get here and now I feel like the semester has gone so quickly. It has been a really busy, hard semester, but as always it is fun to look back and see how God has provided for us and taken care of us each step of the way.
Like I said, we've had a really busy semester...
In January for my birthday I met my mom and sister in New Orleans for a girls weekend, which was a blast. Full of shopping and good food.
Also, in January I had to say goodbye to my best friend for 2 months.
In February I planned the Ladies' Retreat at our church. It was a lot of fun to plan but even more exciting to get to implement it. The best part was that one of my favorite people was our speaker and I got to spend the whole weekend with her.
In March for spring break, Ethan and I went to Puerto Rico on a mission trip with our church. That was a great trip! I expected it to be one thing and God totally had different plans. I got sick the first day there and had a rough week after that. God taught me a lot about submission and giving up control. I do not always have to be the one doing everything. Sometimes it is ok to sit back and just minister to people.
Also, in March I had to say goodbye again to my best friend as she moved to Africa to tell people about how much God loves them. I was REALLY sad for a little while, but more than anything I am full of pride and joy for her as she is right where God wants her.
In April, Ethan was ordained at his home church in Mississippi. Now he's legit! ...just kidding. It was a beautiful time of worship and challenge. The church did an amazing job making Ethan feel special and me as well. Ethan and I both were highly challenged and encouraged and God really used that weekend to affirm our call to ministry.
Also in April, my sister got engaged! Ethan and I unfortunately were not able to make it back to Mississippi for the family stuff this weekend because of really really really bad weather (think 54 tornados in one day in MS). We did get to Skype in for the big story and reveal of the ring. Hopefully I'll get to see her soon.
In May we will see another completed semester and have a few little things to do...hopefully see Wicked, visit with Ethan's sister and her boyfriend, and relax before...
In June, we go back to Puerto Rico for World Changers.
Sheesh. We have a lot going on. But it really a fun and exciting time!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Another 10 Things
That last post was really easy so I think I'll do another...
10 Things that Surprise Me:
1. the unique ways God blesses Ethan and me.
2. that I could be more in love with Ethan today than 3 1/2 years ago when we married.
3. how at 26, I still feel like a kid.
4. that I still, for the most part, really like being a student.
5. my hair being straight now instead of curly.
6. that I still fall for the trick of someone tapping me on one shoulder, but really being on the other side of me. every time. my whole life.
7. how much I enjoy cooking and baking.
8. that life can be lived with only one cup of coffee a day.
9. how many places I have been able to travel.
10. how much my sense of style has evolved, into more of a grown up funky instead of just weird.
All for now...
10 Things that Surprise Me:
1. the unique ways God blesses Ethan and me.
2. that I could be more in love with Ethan today than 3 1/2 years ago when we married.
3. how at 26, I still feel like a kid.
4. that I still, for the most part, really like being a student.
5. my hair being straight now instead of curly.
6. that I still fall for the trick of someone tapping me on one shoulder, but really being on the other side of me. every time. my whole life.
7. how much I enjoy cooking and baking.
8. that life can be lived with only one cup of coffee a day.
9. how many places I have been able to travel.
10. how much my sense of style has evolved, into more of a grown up funky instead of just weird.
All for now...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
10 things...
So, everyone is doing lists these days. I thought I'd try one out...
10 things I love (or at least really like a lot!)
1. my God, who loves us beyond all measure.
2. my Ethan. he is awesome.
3. our families, both Jones and Prince. both wonderful.
4. my sweet, sweet friends who build me up and hold me accountable.
5. coffee....mmmmmmmmmm.
6. any frozen dessert, i.e. ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, etc.
7. music, especially live.
8. sunshine.
9. haircuts (obviously) and clothes
10.traveling.
Obviously, this list is not exhaustive, but that's it for now.
10 things I love (or at least really like a lot!)
1. my God, who loves us beyond all measure.
2. my Ethan. he is awesome.
3. our families, both Jones and Prince. both wonderful.
4. my sweet, sweet friends who build me up and hold me accountable.
5. coffee....mmmmmmmmmm.
6. any frozen dessert, i.e. ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, etc.
7. music, especially live.
8. sunshine.
9. haircuts (obviously) and clothes
10.traveling.
Obviously, this list is not exhaustive, but that's it for now.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Haircut
Why is it that a haircut can make you feel so good?
I just got back from seeing my sweet Lauren, who does the most amazing job cutting hair I have ever seen. I love every single hair cut she does for me and I look forward to going to see her every 8-9 weeks. This time I went a little shorter than normal, but I really really like it. I think it's fun to get a different look every now and then. I get super bored with the same hair cut after a while. There is just something refreshing about knowing that you can do something different and it isn't permanent. If I hate it, I can grow it out. If I love it, I can keep it. I get to start over and try something new, a reinvention of sorts.
Anyway, I'm not sure why this subject merited a blog post, but i was thinking it, so I thought I'd write it. Have fun...get your hair cut and try something new!
I just got back from seeing my sweet Lauren, who does the most amazing job cutting hair I have ever seen. I love every single hair cut she does for me and I look forward to going to see her every 8-9 weeks. This time I went a little shorter than normal, but I really really like it. I think it's fun to get a different look every now and then. I get super bored with the same hair cut after a while. There is just something refreshing about knowing that you can do something different and it isn't permanent. If I hate it, I can grow it out. If I love it, I can keep it. I get to start over and try something new, a reinvention of sorts.
Anyway, I'm not sure why this subject merited a blog post, but i was thinking it, so I thought I'd write it. Have fun...get your hair cut and try something new!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Birthday...
So it's my birthday weekend...and as usual, the middle of January is a super busy time. We started school on Thursday and had to say goodbye to one of my closest friends. But it wasn't all sad...
My mom, sister and I went to New Orleans last week to celebrate my birthday and also to spend some time together before my sister moved. We had a blast, even though it was cold and rainy.
This weekend we had Winter Blast (our D-Now) at church and it was a great time of learning and worship for our students. I am sure God was glorified through the weekend.
My sweet friend Michelle had to say "see you later" yesterday at church. Everyone is heart broken to see her move halfway across the world, but we are also so very thrilled that she is following God's call on her life that far away. I can't wait to go visit! I will miss her every single day and am not excited about two years of my life without seeing her face daily, but I can't be selfish. I am SO happy to be able to pray for her as she is sharing God's love with those who have literally never heard. God's strength is amazing. He filled me with it this weekend, keeping me from being a total wreck and God will fill her each day as she goes through her journey.
I am also so thankful for other great friends that decided to come over and hang out so that none of us had to sit alone and be super sad. We watched football and got some frozen yogurt at Menchies. It was delicious. AND we watched 24. So overall, a good day yesterday, but glad for a day off to relax and get stuff done today.
That is all for now...
My mom, sister and I went to New Orleans last week to celebrate my birthday and also to spend some time together before my sister moved. We had a blast, even though it was cold and rainy.
This weekend we had Winter Blast (our D-Now) at church and it was a great time of learning and worship for our students. I am sure God was glorified through the weekend.
My sweet friend Michelle had to say "see you later" yesterday at church. Everyone is heart broken to see her move halfway across the world, but we are also so very thrilled that she is following God's call on her life that far away. I can't wait to go visit! I will miss her every single day and am not excited about two years of my life without seeing her face daily, but I can't be selfish. I am SO happy to be able to pray for her as she is sharing God's love with those who have literally never heard. God's strength is amazing. He filled me with it this weekend, keeping me from being a total wreck and God will fill her each day as she goes through her journey.
I am also so thankful for other great friends that decided to come over and hang out so that none of us had to sit alone and be super sad. We watched football and got some frozen yogurt at Menchies. It was delicious. AND we watched 24. So overall, a good day yesterday, but glad for a day off to relax and get stuff done today.
That is all for now...
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Welcome 2010...
2010...wow! Another decade has begun. In 2000, Ethan and I both were 16 years old, with a driver's license, thinking we knew it all. At 26, we still feel like kids! Fortunately, God has really brought us a long way since 16 years old. We are so happy where we are because we know we are right where God wants us. And I know people say that all the time, but it's true. It isn't always easy. There is so much to think about, being an adult and a student at the same time. There seems to be some kind of stress always, with work, school/studying, finances, etc. God has been so faithful to us in this past year it would take hours for me to type everything we have seen him do for us. 2010, 26 years old, is going to be another fabulous year...I can tell!
I thought I'd post a picture of us last year and of us this year. Not much of a change, but still fun. We are lucky to have such talented photographer friends.
2009
2010
We don't make resolutions at the beginning of a year. However, we do try to make goals for each semester. Ethan is trying to do more reading and he has already finished 5 books since Christmas. My goal is just not to worry as much. I make this goal every semester and eventually I plan to have my worry whittled down to nothing! Other than that, we are going to do our best in school again and work hard to honor God in the things we do. We are thankful for the ability to be students and the financial miracle that God does for us each semester. We are so blessed!
So, happy 2010!
I thought I'd post a picture of us last year and of us this year. Not much of a change, but still fun. We are lucky to have such talented photographer friends.
2009
2010
We don't make resolutions at the beginning of a year. However, we do try to make goals for each semester. Ethan is trying to do more reading and he has already finished 5 books since Christmas. My goal is just not to worry as much. I make this goal every semester and eventually I plan to have my worry whittled down to nothing! Other than that, we are going to do our best in school again and work hard to honor God in the things we do. We are thankful for the ability to be students and the financial miracle that God does for us each semester. We are so blessed!
So, happy 2010!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The Need to Brag
So today I was just thinking about how proud I am of my husband and some friends of ours for running a 5K this morning and the longer I thought about that, the more people I am proud of popped into my head. Some were for big reasons, others for smaller ones. I decided I needed to make a list. So here it is...
I'm proud of:
1. my sweet Ethan for running the 5K in less than 30 minutes. also for finishing a really long and hard semester beautifully.
2. my dad for cleaning out the garage, which sounds small, but it is a huge physical and emotional undertaking.
3. my mom for being willing to make the 7 hour drive out here just to see her daughter.
4. my sister, Molly, for freaking being an oncology nurse and for allowing the Holy Spirit in her to be the peace her patients and their families need during these hard times.
5. my amazing friend Heather for all the selfless work she does. being a missionary in the US cannot be an easy task and she does an incredible job.
6. my precious friend Jaime Lyn for going through the tough stuff to, ultimately follow God's call in her life.
7. my stunning friend Amanda for allowing God to mold her into the amazing woman of God she has become. (and her fiance, Seth, for realizing that and putting a ring on her finger!)
8. my beautiful friend Kimmie for literally being the walking example of "the joy of the Lord is my strength."
9. my brilliant friend Elissa for being an incredible writer. i read her blog each update and am amazed at how someone can put words together like that.
10. my hilarious friend Mochelle, for beasting that 5K and working her butt off even when she doesn't feel like it. she's an inspiration.
11. our friends Brent and Patti for following God all the way to Scotland.
12. our friend Rob who is serving God overseas (and who we get to see in just a few months!).
13. our friend Andy for being adventurous and experiencing the world.
14. my friend D'Ann for having the guts to have conversations that aren't so much fun, all in an effort to build her friendships.
15. my cousin Evan for finding his niche and devoting time and energy into becoming better at it.
16. my friend Drew (who I've known since he was about 6?) for graduating high school and memorizing the whole book of James to get his driver's license.
17. my cousin Issey for her incredible art and for being accepted into the Pratt School of Art and Design.
18. my friend Heather (who I haven't seen in forever) for being the cutest mom of preschoolers I've ever seen!
19. my friend Morgan (again who I haven't seen in forever...thank goodness for facebook) for being the cutest mom of all boys I've ever seen.
that's all for right now. i'm sure i'll come up with loads more as soon as i post this. i just wanted to get the list out while it was on my mind.
I'm proud of:
1. my sweet Ethan for running the 5K in less than 30 minutes. also for finishing a really long and hard semester beautifully.
2. my dad for cleaning out the garage, which sounds small, but it is a huge physical and emotional undertaking.
3. my mom for being willing to make the 7 hour drive out here just to see her daughter.
4. my sister, Molly, for freaking being an oncology nurse and for allowing the Holy Spirit in her to be the peace her patients and their families need during these hard times.
5. my amazing friend Heather for all the selfless work she does. being a missionary in the US cannot be an easy task and she does an incredible job.
6. my precious friend Jaime Lyn for going through the tough stuff to, ultimately follow God's call in her life.
7. my stunning friend Amanda for allowing God to mold her into the amazing woman of God she has become. (and her fiance, Seth, for realizing that and putting a ring on her finger!)
8. my beautiful friend Kimmie for literally being the walking example of "the joy of the Lord is my strength."
9. my brilliant friend Elissa for being an incredible writer. i read her blog each update and am amazed at how someone can put words together like that.
10. my hilarious friend Mochelle, for beasting that 5K and working her butt off even when she doesn't feel like it. she's an inspiration.
11. our friends Brent and Patti for following God all the way to Scotland.
12. our friend Rob who is serving God overseas (and who we get to see in just a few months!).
13. our friend Andy for being adventurous and experiencing the world.
14. my friend D'Ann for having the guts to have conversations that aren't so much fun, all in an effort to build her friendships.
15. my cousin Evan for finding his niche and devoting time and energy into becoming better at it.
16. my friend Drew (who I've known since he was about 6?) for graduating high school and memorizing the whole book of James to get his driver's license.
17. my cousin Issey for her incredible art and for being accepted into the Pratt School of Art and Design.
18. my friend Heather (who I haven't seen in forever) for being the cutest mom of preschoolers I've ever seen!
19. my friend Morgan (again who I haven't seen in forever...thank goodness for facebook) for being the cutest mom of all boys I've ever seen.
that's all for right now. i'm sure i'll come up with loads more as soon as i post this. i just wanted to get the list out while it was on my mind.
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