Welcome 2013

Y'all, it is the middle of January
I feel like it was just yesterday I was ringing in the new year
A very low key ring in I might add
Lucy and I had a great time at the Salley household

The new year has started off a bit busy
Getting settled back in and back in the swing of things
Enjoying being back with Sarah Beth
I've been back and forth for appointments
Visiting Lucy in Augusta--had a BLAST & can't wait to go back

Classes have finally started back!
Although I think it will be quite tough, I am excited about this semester!
A lot will be happening this semester including...

a fun girls trip to Nashville (come on tomorrow 1 pm) 

my birthday :) 

my first half marathon

my first official client 

my dear friend CC's wedding

A wedding, or 2,  every month until November (so far)

and all in the midst of classes and work here and there! 

I am definitely looking forward to what the Lord has in store for 2013 

I am praying that the Lord would use me in Big ways 

That he would continue to orchestrate community in my life 

That my life would be lived for His glory 

That my love for Him would grow more everyday 

And that I would continue to learn what it means to live by His Grace everyday

What does your 2013 hold?! 

New York

Hebrews 4:16a Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace

By the grace of our dear Savior 

I have been blessed with an incredible family 

My heart is just overwhelmed by the time we got to spend together over the holidays 

We laughed so much we cried, prayed together, and enjoyed being ALL together 

...that doesn't happen to often these days...

What an incredible blessing! 

Dad and the boys left to go hunting so naturally the girls had to do something fun as well 

After Christmas, Mom, Shelby and I went to NYC 

Spending time with Mom and Shelby

A mother-daughter trip 

A treasured memory for sure 

We had a WONDERFUL time

It was brr chills berry pillsberry

And for this Southern girl I say Jesus knew what He was doing when he placed me in the South

Thank goodness we serve a Sovereign God :) 

We arrived to pouring snow

Stayed in a lovely area of NYC

Shopped, ate (probably WAY to much), went to see Jersey Boys 

...it was PHENOMENAL...I highly recommend it 

Saw the beautiful Christmas decorations 

The tree at rockefeller center, the windows at Saks, Eloise at the Plaza

Went to madame tussauds wax museum-we had a big ole time

And wrapped up the trip with a Chelsea Market food tour 

To say the least we most definitely maximized our time 

What a wonderful time with my incredible mom and sister!  

Just another taxi ride through the city 

 Shelby, I think we should audition, we so have that high kick 

Well, I'd say he gives "shrimp midget" a whole new meaning 

 

 Chelsea Market Food Tour 

Merry Christmas!

Galatians 4:4-5a But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons! 

Happy Birthday, Jesus! 

Thank you, Father for the birth of your Son 

for Him to live a humble life 

 to be born to die  

to redeem the least of these 

What a precious gift! 

Merry Christmas! 

Colorado

To say this post is late is an understatement 

But hey...

better late than never!! 

I went to Denver on a whim

and boy oh boy am I glad I did 

We had a GREAT time! 

I LOVED spending time with my sweet cousin Kathryn,

she is the greatest 

I needed and so enjoyed quality time with my sister,

our hostess with the mostest 

We maximized on our time there

We did a whole lot in a little bit of time 

Day 1: Kathryn and I flew in, naturally were starving 

ate at Park Burger-if you are ever in Denver you MUST go...YUM

We got settled and went to Golden, CO for the Miller Coors Brewery Tour 

Very interesting 

Shelby then cooked us a lovely meal-delicious 

Day 2: Shelby had to go to class so Kathryn and I got to sleep in...

we so appreciated that-we were quite exhausted 

Shopped on Pearl Street

Shelby met us for lunch at Gaiya-another must 

Changed hurry quick 

Hike up to St. Mary's glacier-brr chilly 

Supper and sleep to prepare for the slopes

Day 3: Copper Mountain, CO 

Day at the Slopes 

Copper's 40th Anniversary = a little busy

Pizza pie skiing...guilty 

Extremely cold..like 12 degrees mountain top-yikes

Back home-super hungry 

Machete for supper

Christmas lights of Denver 

Day 4: Denver Day 

Brunch at Jelly-OHH yes 

Cold day in denver-high of 24 and WINDY

16th Street Mall shopping/walking/trying to stay warm 

Denver Fellowship Church 

Supper in Cherry Creek 

Pack to leave :( 

Day 5: Shelby graciously takes us to the airport bright and early 

Fly out of denver on time..check

Arrive in Nashville...and a 6 hour delay 

What do we do?! 

Of course, get a taxi and head into the city for lunch and shopping 

We finally made it home with smiles on our faces and stories to tell :) 

Spontaneous

I would not necessarily consider myself a spontaneous person 

I am pretty Type A 

I like a plan 

AND I typically like a plan WAY in advance 

Well, today, I was spontaneous 

My cousin Kathryn is flying to CO to see Shelby 

next Thursday 

Shelby called and said come on come come come 

after some persuasion

Flight booked I'm headed to CO 

IN ONE week 

I finish class for the semester Wednesday night 

(HALLELUJAH)  

Drive up to Greenville

Leave on a jet plane early Thursday morning 

for girl time with my seester and cousin 

Who is excited? 

THIS girl! 

Are you spontaneous? 

What's the last spontaneous thing you did? 

Ready, Set, Race

Ready, Set, Race...

The words I will be hearing (or similar) in 22 weeks 

154 days 

It's official 

I am signed up 

Plans are made 

Looking forward to a girls weekend away in Disney World 

And my very first 1/2 Marathon 

My dear friend Courtney and I are running the race together

And maybe Kristin...we WANT you :) 

Mom, Mrs. Lisa, Mrs. Lee Ann and maybe others 

WHOA, it might take me 22 weeks to prepare for the crew 

All the laughter and fun--I can hardly wait 

(Bridge Run Race 2012)

As I was running today  

I realized that this endeavor, although I am looking forward to it

WILL be a challenge 

So here I am giddy, anxious, excited

Rallying the troops

I am going to need LOTS of prayer 

Request 1: I don't have a running partner here in Columbia

would love one

Request 2: Since I don't have a partner...

motivation and accountability 

Request 3: As my schedule is busy and often unpredictable 

Consistency in my running 

Request 4: Perseverance 

Request 5: Health, SAFETY and wisdom 

Thank you friends and family

Just keep running by HIS strength and grace:)  

Hebrews 12: 1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right had of the throne of God! 

Life Lately

Mid-September and let me tell you 

My life looks MUCH different than it did a year ago at this time 

What's so different? 

Last year I was into the school year 

Learning the ropes and busier than I can even fathom now 

This year 

I am not quite as busy

I am learning what life looks like with time

Yet have managed to keep myself quite busy 

I'm subbing at EPA, tutoring, babysitting here and there

AND trying to keep up with LOTS of school work 

Learning to get involved, to build community

learning that that takes time...and patience

Learning about new seasons of life 

yet loving that I serve a sovereign God 

who has it ALL under control 

Photo Re-cap of Life Lately 

 Celebrated this roommate of mine...whom is such a blessing and her 24 years of life

Football
Although I have said I am DONE until it cools off
WAY too hot for this chick
(I'll cheer them on from my nice air-conditioned box seat...aka my sofa :)

*We did take pictures from the 1st game at home as well I just cannot seem to locate them...Look for them in the near future :) 

That's right, we all will be packing heat 

Concealed weapons class

Informative and Comical-best of BOTH worlds

No picture for this HOWEVER
Sunday was such a great day
I finally reunited with my old babysitter in Columbia
She wasn't just any ole babysitter, she was a part of the family
She kept me since I was 2, Shelby and I were in her wedding
She now lives in Columbia, goes to the same church
is happily married and has 3 BEAUTIFUL girls!
We had a great morning catching up and I am looking forward to seeing more of them and spending time with their family
Thank you Debbie and Jay for a GREAT day!
Love you!

And this dear friend and her Husband welcomed a beautiful baby boy into this world yesterday afternoon!
Welcome to the world Camden Joseph! We Love You!

Up Next:
Amber and Michael get married this weekend
Lake Keowee here we come
Yippee! Fall wedding circuit, lets GO :)