welcome home to me

Jeremy picked me up from the airport late last night. It felt sooooo good to be in a town where I knew where I was going!

Atlanta was a b~e~a~u~t~i~f~u~l 56 degrees while I was there. I didn't even take my coat with me on the plane and was glad it was nice enough there that I didn't have to worry about hauling it all over the place. Atlanta airport is absolutely ginormus! I was with Michelle from work and was so thankful I wasn't by myself. Since this was my first investigator meeting, Michelle was there to help me along. Thanks Michelle! I was VERY anxious about this trip mainly because it was my first trip and I didn't know what to expect and also because they serve a lot of alcohol...I mean A LOT. I didn't know what to expect as far as how crazy some people get when they drink but God's presence was definitely felt and He calmed my nerves and everything turned out great!

My flight went very smooth and thanks to Dramamine there was no nausea or sickness involved. (can't say the same for some of the people I saw in the airport after they had landed and didn't have time to make it to the bathroom or a trash can, yuck). Once in the Atlanta airport we took a tram to get to the opposite end of the airport (this place was HUGE!) and a valet driver was waiting for us holding a sign with our names on it. This car was a smokin' smooth ride! I didn't feel one bump in the road and the driver was super nice giving us details and history about Atlanta our 30 minute ride to the hotel. Once at the hotel we checked in and then went across the street for some dinner (or lunch as they call it there). Definitely got my fill of "southern foods" the past two days. I was served lots of rice, mac n' cheese, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, roasted chicken, lamb, some kind of roast beef, lots of greens, bread pudding, peach cobbler (I passed on these two desserts...I don't care for either of them, so I went for some amazing chocolate cheesecake instead!), ice cream with rum and bananas topped with rum and brown sugar, jumbulia pasta, ravioli, cornbread, fried green tomatoes, corn, beans, and list goes on and on for breakfast foods. oh my word. That's like 4 lines of food listed above! Granted that was over 2-3 meals but wow. I was sad to see all the left overs just being dumped in the trash knowing that there are millons of people going without food.

At the end of the second day we were shuttled back to the airport on this HUGE bus...this did make me (and other people) nausous because it sat up so high and swayed back and forth.

The rest of the story is sitting in the airport for about 4 hours waiting for our plane to leave. Below are some pictures of the room they put me in...it was very relaxing. I didn't take my good camera so the point and shoot camera will have to do...

I loved this lamp shade. It shimmered...the picture doesn't do it justice!

This shower head was amazing! two in one! haha


Do you see the price on one of those bottle's of water?! $4.95! ouch. I'll take tap water thank you very much!

These lights were hanging in the dining banquet and the meeting banquet rooms. I thought they were pretty. The camera didn't do these justice either!

I got a very big greeting by my sweet hubby (who did something absolutely Amazing and romantic...post to follow) and little girl when I got home. Julia must have missed me because she has refused to take a nap and has been glued to my side the whole day.

I missed them both. extremely.

it didn't feel right being gone without them.

so happy to be back...until I leave for Miami a week from this coming Tuesday bright and early at 0635.

Christmas

Christmas is my absolute most favorite time of the year. Not just because of all the lights, pretty packages and decorations but for the true meaning of Christmas, the meaning of Jesus' birth, the reason I am here on earth and have a purpose, the reason I have the opportunity to live eternally in heaven through faith and trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior.

I was a labor and delivery nurse right out of nursing school and if you have ever been able to be a part of a birth of a baby you know that it is an unbelieveble experience to witness and that each birth is so precious and unique. Each child that is born has a purpose in this world. After being a part of hundreds of births in school and in my work it is still hard to grasp the depth of meaning that the birth of Jesus Christ has had. I can't wrap my head around how perfect HE is and His entrance was into this world. And Mary...what would it have been like being in her shoes?

That's just my experience that has brought me close to God and makes me so excited for the season. Here's some pictures of some of my favorite things from this year.

Julia's very first Christmas ornament. It's from her Grandma and Grandpa Ekeland the Christmas before she was born.

Remember this Tami? Thank you so much again! The Lakey's gave this to us the Christmas after we got engaged. Love love love it!

We had Christmas with the Ekeland's Christmas Eve which is tradition. Unfortunately I forgot my camera and didn't get any pictures.

The weekend of Christmas we made a trip to Denison (the town that I grew up in) for Christmas on my dad's side of the family. We had Christmas at my Grandma's house. That brought back a ton of memories from when I was little and holiday's spent with my cousin's. Unfortunately not all of my cousins and Aunt and Uncle were able to make it. It was a really fun time though but sad at the same time because that could be the last time we're able to get together at the farm for Christmas like that. With this trip I forgot my camera again. Sorry there aren't any pictures.

For Christmas on my mom's side we're celebrating this coming Saturday. Hopefully I'll remember to take my camera to this one!

This month has been packed FULL:

• sickness and ear infections (with me...not Julia this time thank goodness!)
• 6 Christmas parties including our life group ugly sweater contest
• 2 white elephant gift exchanges-one which included Jeremy receiving "armpit juice". yuck. Thanks Brandon!
• a winter wonderland Christmas wedding (SOOOOO beautiful!)
• shopping with a sweet friend
• baking
• Christmas lighting
• precious family time at home
• packing a box FULL of Christmas goodies and blessings and shipping to West Africa to my cousin and her hubby-we miss you guys terribly this season but are so thankful that you are where you feel God has called you to be!

Hope you and yours had a meaningful holiday season. See you next year!

scroll down to see previous posts made.

new things

Last fall I found these letters at
Hobby Lobby for a steal. I brought them home, painted them and hung them up in Jewels' room. love love love them! They're so bright and happy and full of personality just like her!

Julia has been eating with utensils regularly for a while now and is VERY independent and strong willed...throws
the food and silverware when someone tries to help her. The
following pictures
are usually how most meals go. Enjoy!

out with the old...

I'm so excited at how God has provided!

About the past 2 months our ol' faithful 30 year old washer has been leaving nice little rust stains on all our whites (and other clothes). Before Julia was born we were debating whether or not to buy a new set. We just couldn't afford it then. And when our dryer quit working God blessed our socks off with providing us an amazing and practically new (2005) dryer in GREAT working condition for only $50. (Thank you again Marsha!!!) Well, we weren't sure if we should spend the money or not (I have HUGE buyers remorse when it comes to purchasing anything) but knew that with the old beast (pictured below) we were ruining all our clothes and there really aren't any other options (for long term) then to get rid of it or take all our clothes to mom and dad's. So......

tuesday night we headed to sears after work. God is so unbelieveble! A front loader that is cheaper then a top loader?! It is being manufactured by a different company and they are selling all these models at close out prices to make room for the "new" brand (even though they're the same thing pretty much).

Those lights and buttons make lots of noise and talk to me when it turns on and I program it. :-)

It only uses 18 gallons of water or less every wash...as compared to the 45-55 gallon per wash beast of a machine that we had. I just cannot get over how amazing God is at providing and openning doors. I am overwhelmingly blessed!

They had a matching dryer but we have the fairly new one that has been working GREAT.

We talked about getting it, but are making ourselves be content with what God has provided. Alot of people don't have dryers that work well and we are blessed for what we have.

a changed heart.

I've been reflecting back on Judgement House these past couple of weeks, I saw God work in ways that I didn't ever see affecting me personally. Mainly because I was raised going to church and accepted Christ as my Savior at age 5...the typical (in my mind) story of a christian. But as I was growing up circumstances and situations that came up pushed me farther and farther from God. I was very angry at God all through highschool, putting up walls all around me not only with God but also with friends and family. I'm difficult to get to know on a personal level with most people I interact with (I'm sure you could just ask some of the people in our life group!) The past 5 years a lot has happened inside me and I've been slowly changing, no longer angry at God and understanding His will for me going through the valley in my past to get here in the present.

Judgement House was different this year in that I saw first hand God working in situations that have affected me directly. The Holy Spirit moved through me in a way that I have never experienced it. It gave me hope and a purpose that I am bringing God glory. That is something I haven't felt.

On celebration Sunday after Judgement House I was given the opportunity to minister to a man who is dying with only weeks left. This, is not my comfort zone by all means. As this man reached out for my hand with tears streaming down his face and him asking me to pray with him, I opened my mouth and the words that came out of my mouth were not my own. w o w. The power of the Holy Spirit is mighty. I have never experienced ANYTHING like that before and know that I will never forget it. Discovering the body of Christ working together and praying together for strength, endurance and wisdom is uplifting. Thank you to those that prayed for this man that day, for me, my nerves and the whole situation.

I don't know if he accepted Christ as His Savior or not. He said that he wanted to do it privately when I offered to help him. If you think of him will you pray for him?

All the above to say that I have a changed heart after JH this year, like I have never felt before...even my husband can see it!

one of a kind

God originally designed and "prescribed" you.
from Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, p. 141

I LOVE this quote. it makes me feel special. :-)

Tonight as I was carrying Julia to her room after we rocked a little bit, I tripped in the hallway. On what you might ask? a sack of potatoes. Julia has taken to hauling a sack of potatoes around the house now. God built a one of a kind mold for her when she was designed. Just when I think I can't love her anymore, I find that the love keeps growing deeper...even over a sack of potatoes.

"Thoughts positive or negative, grow stronger when fertilized with constant repetition."

Come Before Winter, p. 239

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

I choose to be happy this week no matter what situation arises and let every thought praise God for what He has provided. Here are some things/memories that make me happy (not in any particular order).

1. I LOVE pink...it makes me sooooo happy. we had a pink wedding :-)
2. coupons!
3. the seasons changing...especially spring and fall.
4. jeans and sweatshirts
5. chocolate
6. cheesecake
7. mexican food
8. taking pictures
9. babies!!! when they're sleeping and cuddle up right under your chin in your neck.
10. Julia's giggles
11. lazy days with my family.
12. daydreaming
13. having our car paid off!!!
14. seeing the face of my heavenly Father someday... what conversations will we have? how will I feel standing in His presence? what will heaven look like? makes me wonder...

Happy the rest of the week to you!