My beautiful friend Madison left at 5:30 AM this morning for Nicaragua.

I asked her to send me some specific prayer requests for when she is gone.  I wanted to know exactly what she was needing so I can make her job a little easier.  With her permission I'm going to share her requests so that all you wonderful people could pray with me!  

Below are the requests that Madison gave me....

1) That we would walk confidently in the power of the holy spirit in us and in our armor in Eph 6. I feel so strongly that often we don't see miraculous things because we are afraid to access the power that is already in us through the Holy Spirit. We are praying for big things and want to merely be conductors of the Holy Spirits power and the Fathers love for his kids. 

2) That love would radiate from us in a way that the people we encounter have never seen before. We want to not only bless the kids, but the staff of the organization we are working with. We want to wear ourselves out so that they can have a little bit of a break. 

3) For protection over the Enemy's attempts to distract us and thwart what Father wants to accomplish with us while we are there. He has already done things to attempt distraction as we lead up to the trip, and I can only assume they will get more forceful as we leave. He will attack us in our weaknesses because he feels he can get an easy hit there but He will also attack us in our strengths because he is intimidated by them. Please pray that we are constantly aware of his punches and we do not let him distract us. He has no victory, and we are not going to pretend like he does by letting him get the best of us. We do not walk in a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind. 

I hope all of you that read this will take some time to say a few prayers as well.  We are all God's children and that makes us a family.  Madison is my Sister in Christ and I'm so incredibly proud to say that.  I love you, Maddie!!!

Morning Happy Time

We all have those mornings where we are grouchy.... driving to work, wishing we were home in bed.  Or running late and stuck behind a big truck that's behind a school bus that's behind a grandma.... on a 2 lane road.  Yup, it happens at least once a week for me but I have found my new Morning Happy Music.  I recently bought the new Passion CD and I'm in love with it.  ALL the songs are so great but I've definitely found my favorite.  It brings a smile to my face and I can't help but singing (very) loudly and beat on my steering wheel.  I have to start my morning drive with this song. :) 

Once you click to play the video it will give you the link for it on YouTube. 
Go buy the CD now... you won't regret it! 


Tomorrow is Friday!!!! 
High five!

yoga, a bloody mary, movie and a night out!

Saturday was such a perfect day!  I had a full day of Sauce+Sass time!  For those of you don't know that's Jocie and I.  She's "Sauce" and I'm "Sass"... we are awesome. 

First thing Saturday morning we met downtown at 9AM for Yoga in the Park

It was awesome... they do it every week and its so nice!  The heat wasn't even an issue since it was so early and the area for yoga is in the shade of the trees and by the water so the breeze is nice.  It was fun... there were a few giggles between Jocie and I when the crazy yoga lady did all these insane moves but it was a great workout which is all that matters.  Definitely going to go again....

After the yoga we walked through the Farmers Market and ended up at Green Room for some brunch and it was delicious as always.  And of course I can't have brunch with out a refreshing Bloody Mary!!  

Ahhhh, yum.

Then we relaxed while watching a movie... Friends with Benefits.  

Very funny movie... definitely enjoyed it

We also went to the Saturday Night service at Grace Church for the first time.  It was great to enjoy church and then have time for dinner downtown with friends and still have the chance to go to church at Crossroads with Madison on Sunday morning.  I'm going to try and do that more on the weekends... makes the weekend a lot happier! :) 

The ladies at The Trappe Door

After church a group of friends got together to see Kelli since she was in town!  It was CRAZY busy there and extremely hot... for the first time I didn't enjoy it much.  I guess that's what happens when everyone finds out about the new hot spot in town.  Having a large group probably didn't help either but spending time with friends was worth it!  

lazzzzy

I loved the message at church this past Sunday so I thought you all might as well!  :)   The video is below... I think we all can take something from this.  Hope everyone had a wonderful Humpday! 

soulmate.

These are mine. 

Jocie, Maddie & Katie

I'm so THANKFUL for them.  

God is so good and He knew what He was doing when He gave me these ladies.

I never had a sister so I'm glad I have them.  

They keep me smiling and laughing.  

Laughing with me... and at me. 

ALWAYS honest with me.

They are the best friends I've ever had.

So... this is a little thank you for everything. 

I love you SO much!!

"Maybe our girlfriends are our soulmates and guys are just people to have fun with."

Sex & the City

learning....

Found this online last night and had to share.  I think it's beautiful...

After a while you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul 

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning

And company doesn't mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises

And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open,
With the grace of a woman,
Not the grief of a child

And you learn to build all your roads on today,
Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans 
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After awhile you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers

And you learn that you really can endure...
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth,
and you learn and learn...
With every good bye you learn.
-veronica shoftstall

weekend fixers

Well, I haven't had a "Weekend Highlights" post in a long time!!  I think it's time to fix that.... So, here we go! 

Friday was a CRAZY busy day which also meant that I did not take a lunch break.  I did pick up a sandwich and soup but scarfed that down while working away at my desk.  It was nice to stay busy though and luckily at 5PM I was walking out the door straight across the street to Carolina Ale House!  We got a spot on the second floor right by the open window.  With the odd weather lately we had to close the window since it was so chilly... I couldn't believe it.  I almost needed a jacket.  I definitely enjoyed my new fave beer, the Highland Oatmeal Porter! 

Mmmmm.... YUM

After we were finished with dinner Madison and I went to 32 Degrees on Augusta Road.... 

aaaaaamazing!  It was so much fun! 

Yea, you should try it.  asap.

I filled mine with White Chocolate Mousse and Espresso Yogurt and topped it with sliced almonds, granola, mini peanut butter cups, a sprinkle of sprinkles and fresh raspberries!  Oh my... it made me so happy! 

delightful....

On Saturday I got to spend the afternoon with Katie Ayer... lunch and some shopping but sadly didn't find anything worth buying.  We did however finalize the bridesmaid dresses so that was a success!  That night Madison and I went to see Harry Potter.  LOVED IT!  It really was so great, I'm not going to lie... I got a little teary eyed at the end.  I'm such a girl. 




Today was a fabulous day!  It really makes a difference when you wake up at at 8 for the 9:15 service instead of sleeping till 10 and scrambling to the 11:15 service.  You really miss half of your day!  I had time to get ready, sip on some coffee, praise my Jesus, eat some lunch, shop at the mall, lunch (At Trappe Door, eeek!!) with Mom and Madison, relax on the couch, watch a movie (Love & Other Drugs, SO GOOD) and now write this blog!  ALL before 10 PM.  Awesome!  Such a productive day... & here's a picture of the fun stuff I got at the mall, tons of sample goodies! 

Can't wait to use them all tomorrow :) 

Faith&Endurance

This is probably the hardest post I've ever written.  I've been putting it off for a few days now and it finally feels like the right time.  I'm no longer in a relationship with Peter.  This is something that I have been praying about for a couple of months now and I felt like I officially got my confirmation to take that final step.  

The past 3 years have been so wonderful and I have learned so much about myself, the world and relationships in general. Right now I am sad.  I'm hurt, bruised... confused; but the ONE thing that has stayed constant is God's hand in everything.  I know my relationship with God is stronger than ever and that's why I had the strength to do what I had to do.  Don't get me wrong, it sucks... I'm just going to be honest!  BUT I truly feel like this is the right thing to do for me and my heart. 

I know it will be hard for a while.  Moving forward from something that had become a constant in your life is never easy. I am so thankful for the people I have around me... I'm extremely lucky!  You all have been amazing and I love you for that.  I might be a little slack with the blogging and some things might change around on here... we'll see what happens.  I am looking forward to the future, I know that whatever God has in store for me will be everything that I need.  

For right now I am going to spend time in God's Word and writing in my journal.  This helped me make it through the night on Wednesday.... 

The Book of James is simply wonderful....

woah!

I went to my first spin class tonight.  Obviously I did survive BUT it was a close call.  I've never had sweat dripping and landing on my eye lashes before.... I've never wanted to cry in a room full of people so badly.... and I've never peddled as fast as I could in a dark room with VERY loud music and a disco ball spinning.  It was definitely an experience!  

Since I haven't been able to sit down and update a lot lately I thought I'd share a few things that have kept me smiling lately! 

Last Thursday I drove to Spartanburg for some Happy Hour fun with my old co-workers.  I hardly get to talk to them now and I miss them SO much but more than anything I miss the "US" that we had.  The goofy, crazy, silly co-worker love that you don't find that often!  

My girls... a little blurry but still great

Friday night was Dinner Club.... we got SOAKED while trying to grill our chicken and corn then enjoyed a ChickFlick!  Morning Glory... definitely a cute movie, I just love Rachel McAdams!  Saturday was a perfect COMPLETELY lazy day which I totally loved.  I enjoy that sometimes! 


Glad today went by quickly and I got to spend some time with Jocie Ashworth!!!!!  She's so wonderful and she definitely kept me going on that darn bike!  Love you, Friend!! 

I am alive....

I just really underestimated a new job and the non-stop Summer fun!  WOW... I'm definitely not complaining because I am loving the job!  I leave work every day feeling so accomplished and happy which is wonderful.  The Summer has been fantastic as well!  Busy time with weddings, friends, family and trying to squeeze in some pool lounging when I can.  

We spent some time downtown over the weekend and I took some pretty pictures using the Instagram... of course! ;) Enjoy!! 

Hope you all had a Happy 4th Of July and a splendid week ahead, almost HumpDay already....