{Eloping}

Eloping:

Just the word itself is enough to catch and keep your attention. It's a word that is synonymous with adventure, independence, all while having a quality of its very own uniqeness.  To my husband and I... the word was perfect.

Soon, we are very excited about my husband's brother getting married. It is always so beautiful to see two people, who share common beliefs, aspirations, and a deep love for one another, get married.  We are so happy for them. This, in turn, has made us... thinking of every detail... reflect on our own wedding day and vows that were shared.

Yes, we eloped. On August 29, 2008, John and I were standing on the vista at the Biltmore in Asheville, NC sharing with one another the perfect day. It was our dream. It was our love. It was our perfect day. Looking back on it, the day only seems more perfect to us. We have been asked why, how, would we do it again that way... you name it and we have most likely been asked it. But, all of the answers for us are the same. The answers are, because that is who we are and yes we would do it the exact same way over and over again. I married my best friend and partner before God that day. God sanctified our vows in a personally intimate ceremony, overlooking a beautiful mountain ridge. It was our Wedding day... it was not the wedding day that I usually had dancing in my head while I was growing up... it was 100 times over even better.

Marrying my best friend was God's second best gift to me. My first, and greatest gift, is the salvation he gave me so that I may live with Him for eternity. The second, my husband. We are alike in every way and different in perfect ways. John's brother's upcoming wedding is a special one in that we are so happy for them and for the family to grow. (I could not be happier with adding Elizabeth as a sister-in-law and knowing that William is marrying his best friend) It also brings back such wonderful memories of John & I!! God is Good. I am so thankful for my husband and our special love.

The Potter:: What others are saying

So, I was listening to a wonderful speaker... whom I like to call Ron Stuart, and he had wonderful things to say... as usual.


I have never watched the whole movie, but the bits I have seen of 'The Help' are inspiring to say the least. Maybe one day I will actually sit down and watch the WHOLE thing! The take home quote for me... '"The question you have to ask yourself everyday, 'Am I gonna listen to what those fools have to say bout me today?'". I love it!

My thoughts::

 There are so many people in this world and to think that all would have only kind things to say is well... plain dumb. You absolutely, positively cannot win them all. And even if you could, who would want to? What is the point in people pleasing your way through life? This is your life, not theirs. Yours. Anyways, the people who want to be pleased are usually the unhappy spirits. The ones who want you to jump through hoops first before extending you the invite to sit at their lunch table... well, who wants to share in their unhappy conversations anyway. So, be yourself. If that means you do not get an invite... oh well. You were not born for invitations. You were born and created beautifully by God to glorify Him. Period. Not to win over the world or make the unpleasable happy. We were not created to win over as many friends as we can or to get the thumbs-up from others. The size of our 'friend' list is not important. It's the quality of our relationships that mean something. It's the quality of the lives that we can touch that makes the difference.


It has been my experience that those who try to change the unique person you are, or those who attempt to make you feel inferior, have a hard time seeing the big picture or even past themselves. They seem to be consumed with things that do not matter. Don't get sucked into the conformity that they wish you to be in. All we can do is love. Love doesn't mean jump over their hurdles or run through their obstacle course to reach the finish line of acceptance. Love simply means to love them. To care about them. Not to please them. Jesus was the perfect example of this. I am proud to say that I have an audience of ONE. There is only one that I need to please. My great judge is the one who Saved me. Not the world. So, if you are finding it difficult to 'fit in' here and there... Don't. Smile your beautiful smile and be yourself. You do not have to fit in. You were not created to fit into a mold set by others. Yours and my potter is God. He is the Potter. We are His clay.

It is only God that we need to live our lives to please. That is so refreshing...

What I am most excited about at this second:: Opportunity. It is so wonderful to be an American. We truly have all of the opportunities at our finger tips. Such a blessing to live in such a beautiful land of freedom.

What I am thinking about at this second:: My sweet family. I lost my Aunt last week. She is resting in the arms of Jesus and walking the streets of gold. I am sad to watch my family grieve, but have a assuring understanding that she is at peace. This once again reminds me of what is truly important in life. It is our relationship with God, our family, and our love for others.

{A Latte to start the day}

Well, there is no denying that it's Monday. The day most people dread. Do not look forward to. Wish would pass. So, I'm starting mine off with a superb latte. It doesn't take away the day on which falls on the second collum of your calender, but it does make it a little sweeter. Actually, Monday doesn't mean much to me right now. I have been on a wonderful Maternity Leave and so all days have been equally great; however, Mondays will soon reclaim their meaning, as I start back to work in two days. It's hard to believe how quickly the time goes.


Louis has taught me that the days will come and pass... no matter if you would like them linger or stay. Each day he is older and each day he grows bigger. It's a beautiful thing to watch. A beautiful life happening before your eyes. This translates to me: do not wish your time away. Even if it is a dreaded Monday. Enjoy it, smile at people, and find the pleasant in all time that is given to you.

Lattes up... cheers to all days of the week! :)

I recently discovered a really cool website with amazing stories. These are uplifting and encouraging. A reminder that we are all fighting the good fight and that our home is in Heaven. http://www.godvine.com/

http://www.godvine.com/Four-Top-Singers-Perform-Hallelujah-So-Beautifully-1000.html

The thing I'm most happy about at this moment: My family. No matter what is going on or what life brings, they always have an encouraging word to say and a pat on the back. They make me believe I can do it, even when sometimes I am not sure I can. 

The thing I love most at this second: My little boy in his pale yellow PJs. So innocent and beautiful.

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires.”

Psalm 37:4

Thought:: living an amazing life. loving every minute.

Leave it to me to start a new adventure. This is my blog. Welcome. Filled with my thoughts of life and sharing with all who choose to read.

followers & fans::


i am sitting in my chair, as i always do when i'm at this computer, but something is different today. there is a sense of peaceful confirmation that life is beautiful. i'm convinced that life is love, giving, sharing, supporting, and soaking in the rays of sunshine all around us. my husband and i saw an amazing broadway production last night: Les Miserables. a beautiful picture that evokes refreshing emotion. watch it. go see it. the underlying 'shout out' that i received: {loving others is to see the face of God}. this could not be more convincingly true.

we all need a wonderful reminder from time to time of 'us'. a reminder that we are who we are today because of the people around us. take advantage of the wisdom of the ones you choose to spend your time with and don't forget to pass the most important gift where ever you can: love. it's a deal breaker. love can be the light of someone's day who may need their own personal sun. you could be the one to make the difference. God has given us more than we could ever need. now let's give it all back, whenever we can, in love.

so, today, these are my thoughts. i'm just sitting here, thankful. at peace. having a warm cup of joy. if you feel the joy today, pour some into someone else's glass. it WILL make a difference.

*what i am most thankful for at this second: my supporting, loving husband (who is currently making supper).

*what fills my heart with screaming happiness this second: watching the peaceful awe of my beautiful little boy look up at his mobile for the first time and be transfixed.

the smallest of things are the most important things.