Dependence and Love

As school is coming to an end, Kindergarten school that is...

I cannot believe that I've almost completed my 1st year of teaching 

*Wedding season is underway-Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Bynum* 

I was talking with my parents last week and they asked 

"If you could sum up in one word what you've learned this year, what would it be?" 

I tell you what, they ask GOOD questions 

They had a word in mind already but guess what, it was different than mine

2 perspectives are always good and reflection is uber important 

So what are they...

I said I have learned dependence; dependence on the Lord and not being so self-reliant 

They said I have learned flexibility-this I have learned in a serious way as well (coming up next...) 

Dependence

~ More often than not I depend on myself for decisions, my physical and emotional state, my strength and joy. Funny thing is, it never works when I depend on measly me! 

I absolutely would not have made it through this year without my sweet Savior to depend on, to give me strength, perseverance, and joy! I have had wonderful friends, family and accountability to walk through this journey with me and help me learn what it looks like to seek the heart of the Lord, to dance under his umbrella of grace, to have a praying and teachable heart! 

~ I am so thankful for this year I have had at East Point Academy. The precious children who have taught me much more than I could every teach them, the wonderful co-workers I've had, the trials and challenges, the fun and laughter!  

My dear friend and accountability partner Lucy and I have been reading the book called "A Praying Life" by Paul E. Miller (fabulous book) and it is so packed with rich truths! Everyone has their own "desert," big or small, at different times of life: this is a quote that I really love: 

    " God takes everyone he LOVES through a desert. It is His cure for our wandering hearts, restlessly searching for a new eden...The best gift of the desert is God's presence...The protective love of the Shepherd give me courage to face the interior journey." 

~Jesus LOVES me--the Lord's love doesn't always mean roses, smiles, happiness and acceptance. No, it means going to whatever means necessary for you to rely and DEPEND on him! The Lord's love is displayed in so many ways throughout scripture, because the Lord LOVED Job, he took everything from him; because the Lord loved David through his trials, because the Lord loved Jonah, he kept him in a whale for 3 days...and so many more stories throughout scripture
I am so thankful for the ups and the downs, the struggles and temptations, the joys and mountain tops because in the midst of ALL that has gone on this year, and it has been a WHOLE lot...

I can say with sure confidence and a heart learning dependence its because

HE loves me enough...

Psalm 36:7 "How precious is your steadfast love, O God..."

SEESTER

As many of you know 

my sweet seester Shelby has been home

since May 16 

It is now May 28 and she is STILL here 

That is like 12 days and we still have one more day with her

It has been so wonderful having her home

We have played, she's met and hung out with my friends, we shopped, we giggled, and have spent some great quality time together

And now it will be sad to see her go 

She is going back to her home in CO to start a new adventure 

For those that do not know, Shelby and I could not be MORE different 

However, I could not ask for a better best friend 

Her life is an adventure, she is brave, she takes huge leaps of faith

like moving to CO (I think she forgot that's like 1200 miles away) 

I see her trust in the Lord displayed in her life 

She is carefree, silly and goofy, always keeps me laughing, and just enjoys life

I am happy to say that she is going back to start nursing school at the University of Colorado 

She'll make the best nurse

She is compassionate and loving, patient and kind 

Everyone will LOVE her

Here's to you my dear sister 

Until I come to you in CO

Which is very soon I HOPE (hint hint wink wink mom and dad)  

And we can hike a 14er and do fun Colorado things

I'll miss you! 

I love you to Denver and back double infinity times :) 

The Time

Spring is IN the air 

Although I highly dislike the pollen 

I LOVE the spring
Well, I guess now it's officially summer  

The cool mornings 

The gorgeous sunshine

Flowers blooming 

Frolicking outdoors, I think so 


Just thinking about this time and season 
Makes me very thankful for the different seasons of life 


I got to spend all of last weekend with my dear friends at the lake 
9 of us all together and let me tell you...
ALL in varying stages of life 


From singles, to daters, engaged, married, and pregnant 
Is that a variety or what? 


My eyes were just open to what a blessing that is 
How much I can learn from EACH of them  
How much the Lord is using EACH of them 
To bless me at this time of my life 
In this season of my life 

(*thanks for letting me steal the photo KK*) 


I will boast proudly that I truly have the best friends 
They are encouraging, LOVE Jesus, beautiful, fun, love to laugh, and we just know how to have a good time together 
Someone even commented how the fact that I have good friends TODAY (thanks Jennifer) 
I gladly responded with YES I DO! 


Thankful for friendships varying across spans and seasons of life 


Psalms 16:11 "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever!" 

Saturday Project

School is done until May 21st

What to do with this time 

A hobby, I think so 

Saturday project...How about gardening?!
Yes please 

23 and single is the time to learn, right?  

Let me tell you that I had and still have no idea what I am doing 

But i have had fun learning 

Thanks from the help of my dear friend Lucy 

And the sweet support from Sarah Beth 

I made our little patio more like home 

Still a work in progress, yes 

All the supplies were gathered

Rake, tools, flowers, knockout roses

Potting soil and annuals for my hanging basket

Playing in the dirt really is a lot of fun

We forgot that worms were involved

Needless to say we screamed like little girls at their surprise visit 

Still excited to learn more about this little hobby 

And continue to make it elamagorgeous 

Watch it grow...hurry quick would ya

But my saturday project is complete 

Up next...

pine straw, more flowers, herbs, table/chairs

Until next time :) 

Courtney Courtney COURTNEY!!!!

24 years ago on this beautiful day of April 5 

The Lord blessed the Asbills with a beautiful baby girl 

Fast forward 19 ish years and that beautiful girl became a part of MY life

The Lord blessed ME with that same beautiful girl 

Courtney is really one of the best friends a girl could EVER ask for

She has a heart of gold 

She loves the LORD with all of her heart 

She is an encourager, is selfless and is so humble 

Cooper River Bridge 2012 

Court and I met my freshman year when she came to stay in the lovely Orangeburg for Zeta day! 

My life has never been the same

It has certainly been changed for the better 

As has the rest of the Salley clan 

We were in the same sorority together 

We were able to continually love on one another

encourage each other, just have a big ole time, be real and be silly

Let me just tell you--we LOVE to laugh, ALOT 

21st birthday :) 

Kristin, Courtney and I all quickly became pretty inseparable 

Courtney has like a zillion friends 

everyone loves her, what can you say court you are just that loveable:) 

Apt 633 

Not only did Court and I get to go to college together, live together for a year, be in the same sorority, do life together for 4 years...

We get to do more life together, for another 3 years as we continue our education to become speech-language pathologists 

Gracious I am one lucky girl 

Spring Break 2010

Courtney, here is our memory lane photo dump. I had such a fun time looking back at these pictures! We have had a great time together and I am so thankful I am spending life with you now! All those old memories we have made, giggles and tears we have shared, and I am sure many more of all three to come! There are no words to express how much you mean to me! I love seeing how the Lord has worked in your life thus far and am thrilled to see what He will continue to do in you and through you! Thank you for letting me be a part! I love you oh so much more than you can imagine! 

Happy happy HAPPY birthday dear dear friend! 

Boones in the Barn 2007 

Happy Halloween 

Good thing you started roots in the burg early on :) 

Look at those cute sweatshirts :) 

Zeta really is forever (hahahaha) 

Connections even at ole SC State 

Bronze baby bronze  

Happy Graduation-We love you! 

The signature face of Courtney Clark Asbill 

Weddings galore 

Spring Break Cruise 

I think I can I think I can

Luke 24:46-47 "...Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations..."

Boy oh boy spring break is in 2 days 

Spring Break from teaching that is

Class will still be in full motion 

Projects, papers, and quizzes galore

I think I can I think I can 

It is only 1/2 the battle for one week

2.5 hours of class for 3 days 

I think I can I think I can 

Oh how I love my precious kiddos

BUT I am just at the point were I need a 5 year old mental break

I think I can I think I can 

Getting to celebrate my sweet sweet Jesus

His glorious love, mercy and sacrifice 

Spending time with my dear family seems awhile away 

I think I can I think I can 

I live because HE died for ME 

Thank you Jesus for being my strength 

For holding me up with your RIGHTEOUS right hand 

I know I can I know I can :) 

Happy Easter Week! 

Life In Pictures...

Since it has been quite awhile I figure I should share a few pictures...

They are semi-recentish

I got to spend the WHOLE day with my girl Kate! She has the sweetest heart and keeps a smile on my face at all times. I love you Kate! We had a great day together and Kate had so much fun at the Carolina Girls dance camp! 

My sweet best friends came down to Columbia for the weekend to celebrate my birthday. We had a big ole' time catching up, giggling, and loving on one another. I love these girls so much. They are such an encouragement to me and love me so well! 

This is my Clemson boy and let me tell you, he has captured my heart, with his wild self and all :) 

As of late, he has decided he wants to be a Carolina fan sometimes to! So he came in his Carolina shorts and his Clemson shirt! 

*His mom later told me that he was so worried he would hurt my feelings--luckily he knows I love him no matter what colors he wears*

 Happy 100 Days of School 

If this just doesn't touch your heart I don't know what will! 

These three were playing in housekeeping and set the table so perfectly with their food ready to eat but before they "ate" they held hands to pray before their "meal" 

I have to say this just brought a tear to my eye

What a little blessing at EPA 

*of course we couldn't snap the photo quick enough so this is a reenactment* 

So long mulch pit--YAY we have a playground! Oh my starts do our children LOVE recess time! Who wouldn't?! 

I LOVE this time of the year--lightbulbs are clicking and we are just getting it! It is so fun to see how far our children have come this year! 

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! 

Green Eggs and Ham 

Oh and a green pancake-YUM :)  

Planning to take lots of new pictures in the next few weeks-be on the look out! Happy Tuesday :)