picnic in the park::walking on the greenway::sitting by the water and playing::holding hands::laughing::honeysuckles::nice weather::sun::the office::laughing::smiling::love::silliness::drive-in::talking::listening to fun old music::acting like we are in the forties::dancing in the street::laying the street::laughing::hugs::goodnight

I do NOT like people who talk to me like I am stupid. I do NOT like people being rude to me for no reason. Urg! Have you ever been so mad that you cried because there is nothing else you can do? Yep... I was totally just there. So if you guys are reading this please be praying for me. I have to get a certain form filled out in order to do something important. However, certain people are being rude, and then there are a few other issues. God has had His hand in the situation from the start. And I know He will continue to be faithful. I guess the best thing for me to do now is just take a deep breath and trust....

i really miss some things... and i am really disappointed about some other things...

maybe one day God will meet the desires of my heart...

i love when God brings past situations to my mind....

i sit here in complete awe of God's faithfulness to me. sometimes i cannot fathom it... how God got me here... and changed my path so drastically. it is amazing. to even begin to think where i might be... it is so far from where i am now and i couldn't be more thankful.

ahhhh praise God!!!

i'm thankful that i can put headphones in and turn my music up and drown it all out...
                        and for those moments....
                                                        
                                            I
                                                PRAISE
                                                           God for iPods



... that and chocolate milk

So... if you type in "worlds ugliest dog" into the google search bar you will not only get this, but you will also get this!

the end.

Oh no! Where did ET's head go?!


Buzz Light Year took it!!!

i got a flower today...

                                              from a three year old.

My cheese puffs are sad...

Wow. One Weekend was a lot of fun! My group was SO much fun! We had some great sessions and Aaron did a great job speaking! I met some amazing girls in my group this weekend! Saturday was so much fun! We dressed up 80's... so for your viewing pleasure:



gotta have the big hair





and crazy make up and clothing





Hitler Cari (hahaha!!!)

AND THEN!!!!




"AHHHHH" you should of hear of scream


back to the attacking

hiding from Michael

Poor Michael got hurt....


So this weekend was awesome! My best friend is home!!! yay! I hope everyone enjoyed One Weekend! Have a great night!

I am so excited about this weekend! I am really looking foward to tonight and One Weekend starting! Cindy and I are leading the sophomore girls. I lovelovelove those girls! I know that they are going to be so much fun and CRAZY! This is my first year leading a group for One Weekend so I am really excited!

AND!!!!!!!!!!!

*drum roll please*

AMBER IS COMING HOME TOMORRROW!!! EEEEEEEEK! I cannot even describe how excited I am about that! Sadly I cannot go to the airport to get her... or even go with her to get her dress for my wedding *tear*, but I will see her tomorrow night! So if you guys hear any screaming tomorrow you know it is us! I haven't seen her since September! I know I will be screaming and probably crying! I LOVE that girl so much and have missed her dearly! AHHHH! I am SO excited just thinking about it! I cannot wait to see my best friend!!!

So, I have a lot of things to look foward to this weekend! I know God is going to show up in huge ways this weekend! Remember to live for Him at all costs!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I will be seeing some of you tonight!

Happy Birthday to this amazing guy!!! Everyone go leave Nathan a birthday message! He is 22 today!




Nathan, I love you so much! I am sorry that I cannot be with you today. But thankfully we have the rest of your birthdays together! I miss you so much! I hope you have a wondeful day! Happy Birthday! I love you!

Happy Birthday Amber!!! I love you and can't wait to see you very soon!!!

Everyone leave Amber a birthday message!

Have a great day!!!

So... this morning as I was getting ready for work, I heard a knock at my front door. And there on my doorstep sat flowers! Just so you guys know, I have never received flowers from a guy on Valentine's Day before. So this made me extremely happy!






So I went to work, came home and started baking cookies...






yummy!!! and got ready for an evening with the girls. Amy, Rachel, and I dressed up and went to Olive Garden. So everything was going fine... then we got on the interstate and we saw (dun dun dun)






oh yeah. traffic and lots of it. We were trying to get to Olive Garden by 5:30... in attempts to beat the crowd.... So we waited...

 


we took a picture....



didnt make it very far...



so we busted out the microphones and put on some Celine. After a VERY round about way... like 40 minutes out of our way... we made it to Olive Garden... and the wait... dun dun dun... 1 hour and 45 minutes. And you better believe after all that to get there we waited buddy! so...



we took a picture of course. Scoped out a bench and watched it like hawks. And we pounced at it when the people got up. And pretty sure we got A LOT of evil glares. But to them I say..." haha! We got to sit for an hour and a half and you had to stand!!!"







thankfully we got seated... and it was definitely worth the wait!



and we had to take one more photo!


It was a great night! So yay for great friends and of course, yay for love! haha! Hope everyone has a great night!

I know that Valentine's Day can be sad. Trust me, I have been there pretty much my entire life up unitl now! So I wanted to remind you girls of some of God's awesome truths!

"Do not arouse or awaken love until is so desires." -Song of Songs 3:5

"For your Maker is your husband." -Isaiah 54:5

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you in with loving-kindness." -Jeremiah 31:3

"The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord." -Psalm 45:11

And here is something amazing!!!

"When I close my eyes and throw my head back with laughter As I
step up to dance with you, my tiny hand in your infinite one. My steps
so clumpsy compared to your grace. The music begins and we step onto
the floor my grip tightens, Knowing I will fall but also knowing that
you will guide me. And the music swells roaring in my ears until I am so enrapture That I can't look at anyone but you. My hands and feet are poised for the next step, my head up, A smile of love on my face, and my eyes locked with yours... And then maybe, maybe
then I will not even notice when you turn to one of your sons and
invite him to dance with me."

ahhh I love it. Just be so satisfied and so wrapped up in Him. Honestly He is all that matters. Remember He is the One. Don't let anybody be number one, let them always be number two. Wait for God's best, he will bring it--- trust that promise! But in your time of waiting don't be anxiously awaiting that day, but be so wrapped up in God, always seeking after His heart and spending time with Him. Yes, waiting is the hardest thing, because most of us lack that kind of patience. It is hard to trust in things you cannot see yet, but "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do no see" (Hebrews 11:1). God is faithful and he will give you all the strength you will ever need. And know it is not supposed to be easy, because if it was you wouldn't need Him.

So, I hope all of you have a wonderful Valentine's Day. And remember all of you have the absolute BEST valentine ever!!! God has all these guys beat. Seriously. He is the inventor of love. Oh yeah. He knows all about it. Girls, we are pretty lucky! So, Happy Valentine's Day!!!

"Satan has set against every woman from the day of her birth. It's the emotional and spiritual equivalent of leaving a little girl by the side of the road to die. And to every woman he has whispered, You are alone, or, When they see who you really are, you will be alone, or, No one will ever truly come for you...He plays upon a woman's worst fear: abandonmet. He arranges for her to be adandoned, and he puts his spin on every even he can to make it seem like abandonment...
Much of what he allows in your life is not for you to simply accept, but to get you to rise up! God wants you to know how to wield the weapons of warfare, how to take a stand, and how to fight...
And so, dear heart, it is time for your restoration. For there is One greater than your Enemy. One who has sought you out from the beginning of time. He has come to heal your broken heart and restore your feminine soul. Let us now turn to him." -Captivating

*sigh* I feel heavy and burdend... so I am going to go for a drive. I hope everyone is having a great night!

********************************************************
And you better wish Jonathan a happy birthday!!!
********************************************************

I hate not being able to sleep....

So Nathan and I created a wedding site. Not all the details are up yet, but you can go visit if you want!

http://rachaelandnathan.com

I hope everyone is having a great night!

Tonight was a lot of fun. I over came my fear of driving to Nashville (I only drive up to Briley and Opry Mills b/c my family lives up there...). Amy and I went to FIDO, this coffee shop on 21st. It is a fun little place. It is inspired by dogs. seriously. They even have dog bones at the counter. haha.



our "dalmatian" drinks


Amy!


and me looking stupid...


I was happy that I actually drove up there... parking was not so much fun, but God provided us with a great parking spot. So yay for that! Yay for good conversations and great friends. And yay that I can drive up there again, because Hillsboro Village is great! And my next attempt will be 2nd Ave! woo hoo! So tune in for my next Nashville adventures... some time later....

So, kids, hope you have a great night!