Thankful

Today, I am thankful for…

a God who loves unconditionally.

a God who sent His son to die, so that I may live.

a husband who loves me, and puts up with me, difficulties, and all! =.)

a family who has supported me my whole life; who lifts me up and believes in me.

friends…who are friends.  Friends I can trust, hang out with, be myself around, be silly with, and enjoy their company. =.)

a home in which I live.  A place where I feel completely comfortable and blessed to be in.  In an area that I’ve lived in my whole life…and feel safe in.  And it’s close to my family.

a country where I have the freedom to believe what I want.  Where I can worship God without being persecuted.  A country founded on Christianity.  A place that fights to keep our freedom, and help others achieve that same freedom.

for those who sacrifice their lives, who leave their families and homes, so that I might continue to live free.  Oh, how much you mean to me.  And for families who watch their loved ones leave, never sure if they will return to them.  For those people who FIGHT for little me.  What a blessing you are for that.

for my puppies.  They love unconditionally.  Who greet me with one wagging tail, and one wagging body every time I come home.  Who are just so darn cute and loveable! =.) Those two pups just put a smile on my face with their goofiness! =.)

for a church who believes in the Bible.  A church that teaches by the Bible, and expects it’s members to abide by the Bible.

for the Bible…God’s guide for my life.  He gave me everything I need to know in one book.

for the Holy Spirit and a faith that live inside of me.  Who point, and sometimes push me in the right direction – in God’s direction.

for a job.  A place I get to go to each day, even if I get frustrated, sometimes.  God is providing for me.

for co-workers that care about me.

for Love.  Because my life is bursting with love, and I am blessed.  And I sometimes take that for granted.

 

So, I hope that you are surrounded by all that you are thankful for this Thanksgiving.  =.)  There is so much to be thankful for. =.)

Happy Thanksgiving! =.)

Peace

Do you have a place where you are just filled with peace?  A place where this wave of calm just washes over you, and you feel at peace?  With your life, your circumstances?  Where you just know that everything is going to be alright?

I have a few places that give me this feeling.

1. There’s a bench at the end of the pier at Fort Caswell.  It’s an old fort that has been converted into a Baptist camp, and it’s on the coast of North Carolina.  I think this is the place I first felt that peace.  It might have something to do with the fact that that is where I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

There is just something about sitting out there with the ocean lapping against the pilings, watching ships pass, and catching a glimpse of the occasional dolphin.  God fills my soul with peace there.

2. Sunrise on the beach.  Any beach will do, I suppose.  But being out on the sand, while watching the sky fade from gray to red to orange and yellow.  It’s just filled with such vibrant colors.  Since it’s early in the morning, there aren’t a lot of people out there, and God fills my soul with peace.

3.  Overlooking mountains.  When I’m looking out on God’s creation…land that He formed years and years ago, knowing that I would be looking at it now, seeing what His hands have molded.  Seeing the vastness of His land from atop a mountain, He fills my soul with peace.

Sometimes, I’ll get little moments in every day life where I feel this same peace.  But I can count on feeling that peace when I’m in those places.

Just being able to take a deep breath, and get rid of all the junk in my life as I let out that breath.  The peace settles in.

Knowing that God is taking care of me in every step of my life.

Knowing that God is beside me through everything I do.

Knowing that I am never, EVER alone.

Knowing that God has placed my family and friends in my life to support me.

Knowing God has designed my life in the best way so that I may do the work He has planned.

Knowing that my entire being has been designed to glorify Him in all that I do.

Knowing He loves me, no.matter.what.

I hope that you will be filled with God’s peace this Thanksgiving.  That you may know you are loved. =.)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

3-day Vacay

This past weekend, I spent with Marc, my grandpa and his wife, and my brother, Brock, and his family.

And it.was.wonderful!

My grandfather has had a house in Deep Gap, 20 minutes outside of Boone, for about 15 years, now.  When I went to visit Appalachian State University for the first time my senior year of high school, we stayed at his house, and I fell in love with the mountains.  I just can’t get enough of them.

Almost every year since I graduated from ASU, I’ve been back up in the fall for a weekend visit with Marc, Brock, and the rest of his family.   

Marc had to haul some fence/posts home from a saw mill just down the mountain from my grandpa’s house, so we left Friday morning around 6:15 a.m. to miss traffic in Greensboro.  We drove up in this:

It was pretty fun.  You can see so much better from up there!  And I was so used to driving back and forth to App that I missed some of the scenery.  I got to enjoy the view all the way up on this trip.  Like I said, it was fun. =.)

Our first glimpse of mountains…

We arrived at Papa’s house sometime around 8:30-9:00 a.m.  He’s selling his house at the end of November, so it was our last time visiting.  I’m so going to miss this place. I’m going to miss the views from the deck…

So, after we arrived, Papa and Shirley let us borrow their SUV so we could go into Boone and visit the campus.  Sooooo much has changed since I’ve graduated (besides 3 national football championships)!  It’s a little bittersweet, because it almost doesn’t feel like the same place.  I finally got a frame for my diploma…4 years later.  But it does look pretty awesome in the frame! =.)  I’m excited about it!

After our trip to Boone, I’ve definitely done my share of supporting my school with some school spirit!  I got an alumni plate to go around my license plate on my car, and wind-thingie to go on my porch (I’m not sure of the technical name…), a new t-shirt (adorable – grey with pink polka dots!), a new water bottle, some awesome stone coasters, and a hat for Marc.

Some of my favorites, though, we my pictures:

Brock, Wendy, Allie & Ava arrived around 12:00 noon, and we decided to head to the outlets so we could avoid the crowds on Saturday, but not before the girls frolicked in the yard for a bit. =.)

Papa & Ava Papa & Allie On a Snoopy ride at the Outlets Ava – showing her teeth (her version of a smile =.) Christmas Tree Farm We spent Saturday in downtown Boone on King Street…fun stuff! =.)   I don’t know what was up with Allie & her coat and toboggan…it was 65* =.)  Sisters…Deer in the front yard  Looking at the deer =.)

We left pretty early on Sunday, but not before I got this great shot of Ava…

I hope your weekend was wonderful, too! Have a great week! =.)

Halloween =.)

I’m not sure if you could guess from the pictures I had up from last week, but here’s what all the girls dressed as:

Krystle, me, Megan, Katie M, Katie H, Sarah, and Victoria

We were 80’s girls! =.)  It was so much fun!  Everyone gathered at our house to get ready.  Sarah found all of our great legwarmers and gloves.  She also found my tights – they’re pink, with black fishnets over top of them.  Classic! =.)  So much fun! =.)

I was also visited by these adorable little girls! =.)  All THREE of them! =.)

Ava and Allie as cowgirls

And Karleigh as Snow White! =.)

Matt, Tammy, me, Karleigh, & Marc =.)

And a few more of my favorites from the night…

The guys in their haunting masks…And I leave you with Krystle’s gorgeous engagement ring! =.)  Can’t wait for her June wedding! =.)

Hope y’all enjoyed the pictures! =.)