A visit from a friend

This last weekend my friend Roz came down for a visit.  This was something we had talked about doing for a while now and I was so thankful she could make it down!  She got here Friday and left after lunch on Sunday.  During her time here we watched a few movies, made some bars from and Ina Garten recipe, visited Orange Leaf, I showed her around my town, we went to the musical at my church, talked, etc.  It was a fun time :) 

I met Roz at college and we were suite-mates for a year and a half.  She is going to be one of my guest book attendants at my wedding as long as she can get a job and doesn't end up needing to move to Arizona with her parents.  Here are a few things I love about Roz: 

• Her calm demeanor.
• Her 'Roz' mannerisms--phrases she uses, her tone of voice, laugh, etc.
• She is a good companion--easy to talk to, fun to be around, loyal, etc. 

There are other things I could list here, but these are the top three and as you can see two of them have an 'etc.' attached.  She is a delight and has been a blessing for the last almost two years and I thank God for her.

We did take pictures this weekend, but they are all on her camera so here is what I've got  :)

Myself, Roz, and Brittany at a coffee shop in Northwestern IA last fall

Tina, Roz, and I last fall

All the roommates from last year  (myself, Tina, Roz, Brittany, and Kristen)

Doing our nails--a favorite of ours :)

Kristen, Roz, and I trying on some glasses  :)

Delightful Dinner Date with a Dear Friend

I love getting to just be with someone I enjoy and talking with them.  On Tuesday I had the pleasure of sharing a meal and conversation with my friend Lori.  We met at a favorite restaurant a little before 6:30 and did not look at the time again until it was 9 and they were beginning to clean up around us.  What a wonderful, joy-filled time it was!  She is one of my dearest friends despite the difficult time we often have connecting with our busy schedules.  It is always amazing to me how we can go weeks or months without talking, but as soon as we are together we pick right up where we left off and not just in surface level things...I'm talking real conversation about life and happenings, how we feel about what's coming, what God's been teaching us, etc.  What a joy and a blessing her friendship has been and continues to be!

Lori and I met as campers when we were probably going into 5th or 6th grade.  We then reunited as counselors at the same camp.  We worked there for three years together and have been good friends throughout the whole time.  Right now we are both in the process of planning our weddings and preparing to move out of our parents' homes again.  It was so nice to share thoughts and excitement over these coming transitions.  It is fun to think back to all of the conversations we have had in the past about this time in our lives and how we get to share in it together now.  Lori was going to be one of my guestbook attendants at our wedding, but she will be unable to be there because she is moving to Arizona in a few weeks and will be getting married the same day as Michael and I (great minds think alike!)  We so wish they could have been at our wedding, but with distance it wouldn't have been feasible and they need to do what works best for them and their families.  We are very happy to have them as wedding buddies!  

In closing, here are some of the things I love most about Lori:

• Her love for Jesus and strong convictions to honor Him with her life. 
• Her encouraging smile and joyful laugh.  
• Her genuine and open conversation.  
• Her friendly hugs.  
• How I feel like she really gets me/how we connect.  
• Her friendship and support.  

There are certainly other things I could add, but those stand out the most.  I thank the Lord for her often and am so very excited for she and her fiancé, Rupert.  He truly has struck gold with her.  

Double Spring Break!

What a wonderful last two weeks I have had.  God blessed Michael and I with spring breaks that did not line up.  Upon first learning this I was most disappointed, but it proved to be a delightful gift.  Because our breaks were back-to-back, Michael and I were able to spend not one, but two straight weeks together!  We haven't had this kind of time together since December and won't again until June when we are married.  My break came first so I went up to Minnesota on Monday the 12th and then we both drove down to my house that Saturday and he stayed through today!   I wanted to take some time to share some of the blessings these last two weeks have held :) 

• While Michael was at class and work during my week in Minnesota, I got to spend a lot of quality time with his sister-in-law Claire and the three kids.  What fun!  I loved every minute of my time spent with them :)  We went to the park, had picnics, and played at home.  I am so excited to officially become a sister-in-law and aunt!  
• Michael and I got to have marriage counseling again!  I am so very thankful for the sessions we have been able to have.  Our pastor has done a wonderful job bringing up topics and allowing us to dialogue about different things with him and to continue these thoughts and conversations as we leave.  It is so good to be preparing for marriage and not merely a wedding!
• While Michael was trying to do homework, I was also able to spend some time with a few different friends that I haven't been able to see much of lately.  It was so refreshing to get to spend some time with them catching up.  It will be nice when we all live in the same area again and will be able to see more of one another. 
• I loved just getting to be with Michael even if it was just him working on school stuff while I folded paper lilies :)  
• Last Sunday when Michael was at our house, we went out to eat with my mom's side of the family.  It was fun for him to interact with them again and to spend some time together that way.  
• Michael woke up early and came to exercise class with mom and me one morning--what a trooper :)  
• We did A TON of wedding planning!  Invitations, food, centerpieces,  etc.  I feel like we covered a lot of ground and will have no problem finishing the rest of the details apart (only 83 more days!)
• We took Sam to play at the park one day and had a blast!  
• We began watching a new show called Downton Abbey and are both really enjoying it so far!
• Friday night we went out on a little date and then came home to make puppy chow for the fam (we make some good chow!)
• Saturday was spent just relaxing during the day, we went to Hunger Games with my family and Grandma Diane in the late afternoon (really enjoyed it) and then my sisters, Sarah, Michael, and I went to the Ben Rector and Needtobreath concert that night.  It was a busy day, but so fun!  I love how Michael fits right in with my family :)  

I could go on and share many other things we were able to do and the countless things we laughed over, but I will leave it as it is.  Ah, I am so very thankful God gave us that time together.  I get to see him again in 19 days and then we will have two more visits before the big day!  God is good and to be praised!

Ready to drive to Iowa on St. Patrick's Day!

Date Time!

Handsome driver

At the concert

Sisters and Sarah :)

He thought the camera was loving him :)

I marry this guy in 87 days! ♥

Goal Summary

Now that we're almost 1/12 of the way through 2012 I though I would share some of my goals for this year.  I have been thinking about these things for the last few months and here is what I have come up with...

• Spiritually: This is the section with the most subpoints, but I also think it is the most important.  I desire to come to know more about my loving God.  I hope to read through the Bible in a year again.  I am also striving to memorize one verse a week using the fighter verses from Bethlehem Baptist.  I am striving to be more purposeful in my prayer life.  Finally, during my time at home I am involving myself in a Bible study with other women and when Michael and I get married I am hoping we can get involved in a small group with other couples.  
• Physically: I am striving to exercise at least 5 days a week.  Currently I am taking part in an exercise class with my mom M-F.  
• Intellectually: I really want to read more.  I am hoping to read at least one book per month and I am right on track for that as I completed The Help in January.  
• Odds and Ends: Learn how to make origami flowers for the wedding (met this goal this weekend, but still have A LOT of paper folding to do) and I also want to improve on my cooking skills so I can feed my man yummy meals.  

Thus far God has been gracious in giving me success in these goals.  It is my prayer that I will be more purposeful this year.  I want to be more intentional in relationships.  I want to learn to love Michael more each day.  I do not want to be selfish with "my" time (which really isn't mine anyways). 

God is good and to be praised.  I am thankful for the growth that has occurred in January and look forward to what He has in store for the next 11 months. 

Home

Well here we are, over a week into 2012.  I have been pondering my goals for this year and have begun to work on some of them.  I will probably post them sometime soon, but today I just wanted to talk about living at home.

I am loving living at home!  Here are a few of the things I love about it (in no particular order) :)

• I love getting to spend a lot of time with my family.  
• I appreciate that I can go to work out class with my mom in the morning
• I like being around to work on wedding things.  
• I enjoy working in town
• I love sharing a room with my sister!
• I am a fan of the queen sized bed and electric blanket!
• I am excited to begin a Bible study with my mom on Monday nights!
• I get to participate in a handbell ensemble at a church in my town with my grandma, aunt, and a few other relatives.  
• I have more time to read, play games, and relax!  
• I get to go to work/school with the rest of my family
• I like to walk my dogs and pet them
• I'm excited for the other people I get to see at home

There are probably other things I could list, but that's a pretty solid list :)

I should also mention that there is one thing that I miss while being home...Michael.  It is not a ton of fun to be away from him, but it is only for a little while and we will get to see each other in between.  For now we talk on the phone often and I look at pictures regularly :)

Memories of a Closing Chapter ♥

It's hard to believe, but I am in my last 24(ish) hours of college--HOLY COW!!!  Where did those years go?  I look at the people I have been sharing life with over the last 3.5 years and it seems strange that this period of our lives is coming to a close.  Some of my friends have already graduated and others will be in school until May or even next December, but my college chapter ends tomorrow.  As this day has come closer I have done a lot of reflecting on this journey.  I have grown so much throughout my time at Bethel, especially spiritually.  This is something I am so very thankful for.  Bethel is by no means a perfect school, but God has truly blessed me through it.  My reflecting has also brought to mind many favorite memories of my college years and I would like to share a list of them with you.  :) 

• Baby-sitting Jonas and Freya--What a blessing it has been to get to spend time with Michael's niece and nephew and to see them grow and change.  I love those kiddos and am so excited to meet baby boy when he comes!  Here are a few pictures :)

•  Shift--Both my sophomore and junior years I was involved with this campus ministry that reaches out to freshmen.  My sophomore year I had a floor of freshman and junior year I was in charge of a team of Shift leaders with a partner.  It was a wonderful experience full of challenges and spiritual growth.  So very thankful for this.

• J-Term Abroad--During January my sophomore year I went to England with the Education department.  We spent some time in schools helping in the classrooms and also got to do some touring.  During this time I also got to go to Paris (for 24 hours) and Ireland (for 5 days).  

•  CWC--very few people have happy memories from this class as a whole.  It is our Christianity and Western Culture class.  I took it freshman year and did really well and was a TA in it throughout my sophomore and beginning of junior year.  It was so fun to be involved and to help others learn.  I love seeing how Christianity and culture have interacted throughout history.  It was challenging and I learned a lot from the professors and my peers.  

• Dates with Michael--My relationship with Michael and grown a lot through college.  We started dating before Bethel, but did not have a close distance relationship until we went to school together.  It has been such a blessing spending time with him on a regular basis.  We have gone on a number of fun dates (Vikings games, apple orchards, ice skating, Valley Fair, etc.)

• Red Box with Tina--Freshman year I would have dates with my friend Tina and on multiple occasions we would go to several red boxes looking for a specific movie and after we could not find it, we would swing by target and just buy it instead.  I am now older and wiser and know to look online first, but it was so much fun then!  :)

• Lake Day--Every spring during finals week I went to Lake Johanna with a few friends on Study Day.  This was always a fun time to just relax in the middle of a stressful time.  Here is a picture from last year: 

•  Ina with Roz--Last year during J-term my roommate Roz and I began watching Ina Garten on the food network.  It was so fun to spend this time with Roz :)  We love us some Ina!

• Double Piercings--One of my first memories with my roommate Leah was getting our ears double pierced together freshman year.  So fun to remember our early days of living together :)

• Christmas Banquet Freshman Year--Each year Bethel has a Christmas banquet where students can get dressed up and pay to go eat good food somewhere else and have a dance.  Michael and I only went to this freshman year, but it was a wonderful night.  We had a lot of fun with friends and this was the first time Michael told me he loved me :)  

•  Two Weeks Notice--This was a favorite movie of my roommates and myself mostly sophomore year and a little bit junior year.  We laugh throughout it, but I would have to say one of our favorite quotes is "Did you say 'Billy, I love you'?" :)  bahaha

• Handbells--I was involved in the handbell ensemble junior year and it was so fun!  I loved learning how to play :)

• Wicked Sophomore Year--Fall of sophomore year my friends Tina, Brittany, and Danielle came to Iowa with me over Fall Break and we went to Wicked in Des Moines.  My sister Charley also got to come with :)

•  The Fog with Brittany--There was another time Brittany came home with me and when we were driving back to Bethel, there was the most ridiculous fog!  It was both scary and exciting and now I always think of Britt when I am in foggy weather :)

• Undie Exchange--Instead of doing regular Christmas presents, each year my roommates and I have drawn names and gotten each other a pair of underwear.  So fun :)

• Family Coming to Visit--I love when people come to visit me, especially when it is my family.  This has happened on several occasions and have been some of my favorite times in college.  

• Cars Buried in Snow--Now, most wouldn't find this to be a happy memory, but last year when we got a lot of snow, my roommates and I bundled up and worked together to dig out our cars.  It was a pretty good workout and pretty funny :)

• Tina Coming Home from England--My friend Tina studied abroad spring of sophomore year and the night she got home Brittany and I planned to surprise her with her family at the airport.  That in and of itself would have been fun and memorable, but when you add to it the fact that her flight was delayed over and over again and we got lost on the way back and you have an exceedingly memorable night.  

• Solo Video--This kind of goes with the previous memory, Brittany and I 'danced' to the song solo and in a video and sent it to Tina.  So funny...still makes me laugh when I watch it :)  

• Iowa Trip Junior Year--Fall of junior year my roommates and I drove to Northwestern Iowa for a weekend.  It was a blast!  Here are a few pictures from that weekend: 

•  Bible Classes--I have taken a number of Bible classes throughout my semesters and they have been challenging and full of growth.  I have learned so much and love my Savior so much more as a result.  What a blessing!  

• Game Nights with Jason and Claire--We have spent a great many Friday/Saturday/Sunday nights with Michael's brother and sister-in-law playing games.  It has been both a blessing and a blast getting to know them better.  I will miss these when I live in Iowa in the spring.  

• Bangs--My roommate Roz and I decided we wanted to get bangs last Friday...so we did!  We were having a girls' night with Brittany and she helped us cut them!  

• Student Teaching--Oh my goodness...I cannot even begin to express how wonderful this experience was.  I've said it before and I'll say it again: I had an awesome teacher and precious third graders.  I grew so much in my teaching and confidence.  I am so very very thankful for the fourteen weeks I had with them.  

• Getting Engaged--One of the best nights of my life...hands down.  It was such a great day and Michael managed to surprise me and ah, so good :)  So excited to be marrying Michael in 184 days (SIX MONTHS TOMORROW!!!!!)  Here are a few pictures from then...

This is by no means a complete list, there are several other things I could add.  These college years have been very full...it has not always been happy, but I am thankful to have so many happy memories :)

For those of you who are interested in my "next step" I will be moving back home on Saturday and Monday I begin a new job as a teacher's aid at the elementary school I grew up in.  That and wedding planning will keep me busy throughout the spring.  I am very excited to get to live at home and spend time with my family, but I will definitely miss Michael (and others up here).  Excited to see what God has in store for these next six months and this chapter of life between college and marriage :)  Praise the Lord for his faithfulness!