Post Christmas Celebrations

Eric and I not only got to see his family, but we were also able to hang out with my family the first week of January. Eric had to miss the first week of classes, but it was worth it. One fun thing about it was that we got to go to VA Beach and spend that week there with Izaak and Anneke's family. To get there we took our church van. That made the trip even better, because half the fun is getting there.
We made plenty of stops on the way, thanks to dad!!!

It was awesome to see Izaak and Anneke and Shiloh and Eli again. Nolan and Shiloh sure were excited to see each other. Cy and Eli, well let's just say that weren't quite so aware of each other.

Once we got there we only stayed at Izaak and Anneke's one night. The next morning we made our way to the Outer Banks, in NC. This was only about an hour and half drive, so after 18 hours in the car that was nothing. It was beautiful. We had such a relaxing time while we were there. We played alot of card games. Eric and I taught everyone how to play hand and foot, sad to say we didn't win. Doesn't that make us really good teachers?

We also discovered a hot tub while we were there. That was great. It was pretty chilly at night, so it was fun to get into the hot tub and enjoy the warmth while it was cold outside.

Another day we decided to go for a stroll on the beach. It wasn't too cold outside so off we went. While we were on the beach we looked for shells and watched out for dolphins. We collected tons of shells and saw a number of dolphins. It was beautiful. All of us girls were snapping pictures left and right. The guys thought we were crazy, but they will thank us someday, (I'm sure).

We then went back to Izaak and Anneke's after a few days at the beach house. We stayed with them until Monday, then took off again for home. On the way there and back we were actually able to spend the night at the half way point (about). We stayed with my Uncle Larry and Aunt Susie and Grandma. So that was nice to be able to rest there after being in the car for so long.

Eric and I are so blessed and had a fantastic time. We can't wait until we are able to see all the families again. Hopefully soon, although all the driving (63 hours is what we calculated total for both trips) we wouldn't mind giving up.

We thank the Lord for our families and the encouragement that they are to us. We love all of you guys!!

Christmas Going's On

Well, Eric and I have been pretty busy over the last few weeks. It has been great though, because we have been able to see both sides of the family. Over Christmas we went and visited his family in GA.

We had a great time. We were able to be down there for about ten days. It was a nice time to relax and recover from all the busyness of home. While we were there I got to go shopping alot with all the girls. Eric went and played golf with the guys one day.

Another day we went to visit Eric's Uncle John and Aunt Pat. We also got to see his cousins as well while we were there. His uncle and aunt live in Chattanooga, TN. They live right downtown. It was beautiful. We took a long walk around the whole downtown. While we were walking we saw a really steep hill that a bunch of people were sledding down. You might be thinking, sledding, was there snow? No! they were sledding down on cardboard boxes and things like that. Well, we couldn't pass up an oppurtunity like that. So of course, we all ran to get some cardboard pieces and raced each other to the bottom. It was hilarious.

It was a blast as you can tell.

Besides those fun things we also shared some good times of growth with them. One of the traditions that all the girls in Eric's family has is to pray for the family every Saturday no matter where you are, together or seperate. Well, the Saturday that we were there all of us girls went to Panera Bread and prayed for the family, immediate and extended. What a blessing that is. It was so incredible to be surrounded by so many godly women desiring to see their family grow to love God more. Another awesome event that took place was on New Years. There was a progressive dinner with Eric's parent's church. It ended at his parent's house. To bring in the new year there was a short devotional given and then we all took communion together. What a great way to bring in the new year.

While we were there we were also able to get together with a young couple who goes to his parent's church, Micheal and Natalie., We had a great time with them. It makes me wish that we lived a little closer so we could get to know them even better. Thanks guys, it was fun!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

YAY!!! Eric and I finished putting up our Christmas tree. This is our first Christmas season as a married couple and it has been so fun so far. Not only is this our first Christmas together, but we are also celebrating our 6 month anniversary. Both of us are amazed at how quckly the time has gone. We have learned so much about each other over the past months and we are so excited to see what we will be doing these next 6 months.









God has been so good to us. I know many of you know that I was working at a license bureau. Well, that is past tense. The owners of the bureau are not running it anymore so all of the employees lost their jobs, me included. So now here I am again looking for a job. It is very easy when times are like this to doubt and wonder where and how God is going to provide. As I was reading in my Bible I was reminded of God's faithfulness...'keep your lives from the love of money and be content with what you have because God said, 'Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' JESUS CHRIST is the SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, and FOREVER!'
That reminded me that even though I don't have a job right now. God will remain faithful to His Word and to us, His children.

Eric and I continue to enjoy many firsts, our first Christmas, our first snow, and learning to keep God first in all that we do.

Devoted Prayer

So much has been going on in our lives over the past few weeks. God has definitely been teaching us how to love each other better and how to better serve Him. It is amazing how God uses His Word to teach us about Himself and to show us how to better live for Him...'for the Word of God is living and active'... How true this is. Through any situation God will use His Word to bring truths about Himself to the forefront of our minds.

It seems as though a quality prayer time has been the challenge for me. When I was reading the other day I came across the verse, 'DEVOTE yourselves to prayer.' I have read that verse before, but when I read it this time, the word 'devote' really stood out to me.

One major way that God has taught me what this devotion looks like is through my discipleship study on Wednesday nights. Every Wednesday night at my church we have youth group and some of us from the college class help, by spending some time with groups to help them apply what has been taught that week. I have a group of 4 to 5 girls. We have been talking about what a true relationship with God looks like. It is awesome to see how excited they are to learn and how much they desire to know God. Through my teaching them I have learned so much. We talked one week about prayer being a way to communicate with God. Just like one would talk to a best friend as often as possible, so we should talk with God to learn more about Him, so we can know our God.

Another way that God teaches us about Himself is through His children. Through the example of so many people I am learning about prayer and just how important it really is. Through Eric, his family, my family, and our church family I am understanding more of what true communication with God looks like. It is real. It isn't just a '5 minute, quick say a prayer'.

It is being diligent and devoted to speaking with my best friend. Learning more about Him as I grow in the knowledge that he wants that personal relationship with me.

Autumn and Bonfires...

Since we have been married, Eric has started taking classes at K- Institute and I have gotten a job at the license bureau in town. We are both enjoying our new activities, but we try to leave time for the fun stuff.


Last weekend we went to Ava to a camp out there for a hayride and bonfire. We went with a group from church. It was a blast. All the guys went into the woods before the hayride and hid so when the tractor came through with all the little kids they could try to scare them. Some of the kids were little so they couldn't do major scaring.


It was really fun and the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves.


It was a perfect night, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and you could see every star, it seemed. It was definitley the initiation of fall. The only thing that was missing was the hot chocolate.

Sisters are a gift from God!





I thank Him everyday for that spectacular gift.
They have blessed my life tremndously.





I know that they are always there for me, to encourage and edify. I know that God has put them blessedly into my life.











I LOVE MY SISTERS!

We will Dance

Football Games, Jumping in leaves, Bike riding. These are all things that are associated with fall. Karaoke however, has no season.

Yesterday, Eric and I went to a high school football game with a group of friends from K-Institute. After the football game, (which by the way, our team won! Wohoo!) we went to Steak n' Shake.
What do you do in Branson at 11:00 at night? Karaoke, What else.
We all headed out and went to this steakhouse. There were probably 20 of us. It was a pretty small place. We definitely stood out as a group but it was fun for a random night of songs.
A bunch of the group put their names in to sing. the rest of us either cheered them on or went out on the dance floor.
Songs were sung ranging from

"A Boy Named Sue"
"Sweet Caroline"
"Livin' on a prayer"
and
"Any Man of Mine"

A great time was had by all... Care to join us next time anyone?