My Whole House is Great!

Ahhh, childhood innocence personified.
Those ridiculously cute curls make it all the better.

The Blessing

There is a song by John Waller titled, "The Blessing". In essence, it is exploring what it means to be a Christian without actually saying that.  

Here are some of the lyrics..

"Let it be said of us by the ones we leave behind, let me said of us that we lived to be a blessing for life.
Let it be said of us, that we gave to reach the dying.  Let it be said of us by the fruit we leave behind.
This day, you set life, you set death, right before us. This day, every blessing and curse is a choice now, and we will choose to be a blessing for life. For your Kingdom, for our children, for the sake of every nation...
Let it be said of us that our hearts belong to Jesus. Let it be said of us that we spoke the words of life. Let it be said of us that our heritage is blessing for life."

This song has always resounded with me each time I hear it on itunes or randomly played on a radio station. Each verse has biblical foundation that proves to be convicting and challenging. It continually makes me analyze how I am living and this is why:

When Kyle and I made the choice to choose one another for life, I thought of the lyrics to this song. Would our marriage be a blessing to other people, to one another? As a couple, would we reach out our hands in what seems like inconvenient or difficult times to help someone else? Would we decide together to walk with Jesus on a daily basis, and would that show in practical ways through our relationship? Essentially, would God be glorified through this union?

The simply lyrics cut straight to the point- are we as individuals and as a marriage displaying what the gospel so profoundly proclaims: Love God. Love your neighbors as yourself. Be a blessing, just as you have been blessed. This should be our natural response to the Good News.

This is bold. This is radical. This is our prayer.

The very idea of loving a stranger just as much as you love yourself; caring for a stranger just as you would yourself; can actually be a very scary thought. Even on the most basic of levels. But the Bible says that

 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7

Daily we fail, and daily we are saved by grace. We will spend our entire lives learning how to serve other people. I pray that God continues to set our hearts on fire to care for others the way He does for us. Giving us open doors and practical ways to joyfully and willingly love people. That we, could in some way, be a blessing.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  1 John 4:10

Mom's Trip to Martha's Vineyard

 {this post was imported from my old blog}

Considering I would be on Martha's Vineyard for two weeks, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity for my mom to come visit. I encouraged her to arrive and depart by ferry, as there is something about standing on the edge of the boat as it approaches a harbor- crowded by sail boats and yachts of all different sizes with the cedar shake homes lining the horizon.
The wonderful thing about the Vineyard is the absence of commercialization. In the mist of the bustling summer season, the heart of the island is still a very small town feel. I wanted my mom to experience both the tourist attractions but also the rural areas which make it so unique.

Here's the shortened story of our week together:


My Mom Arrives on the Ferry from Providence, RI. The waters were quite rough, so we decided to relax at Oak Bluffs Harbor while enjoying our first of many delicious island meals

The next day was full of adventure, as we traveled to the Aquinnah Cliffs in Chilmark and explored the beautiful beach and clay cliffs

 

As a storm is on the horizon, we drive to Edgartown to explore the shops, yachts, and restaurants.  Also included is taking way too many pictures of the residents hydrangea plants which cover the entire town. Discovering a  great cafe, we enjoy lunch overlooking the busy streets and docks. Liking it so much, we returned the next day for to same great atmosphere, waitress and food!

As the storm sets in, we enjoy drinks and dinner on the water at the famous Black Dog Tavern

As we walk off dinner in the mist, we come upon a store. Not just a store, but one named after my mother's family!  (Maybe they did not intend to do that;)

The next day, we ventured to Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary. One of the most beautiful, quaint get-a-ways on the island.

We decide enough with sight seeing, let's be really adventurous. So we jumped off a bridge.

Then, I took my mom to Menemsha, where Kyle proposed to me less than one year ago.

And we indulged in an amazing fresh lobster and crab dinner on the beach...

The visit would not be complete without a trip to the well-known Chilmark Pottery. A winding dirt road leads you to this enchanting store. Stacks of pottery line the walls inside and out, as the potter spins on his wheel for all to see.

Our last night together was spent at Blue Canoe eating all organic food while watching the boats come in for the evening.

The end,
but a great beginning to mother-daughter vacations :) (next time we need Jessica and Emily too!)

Worlds Apart

{this post was imported from my old blog} 

My job for the past (almost) two years has been full of challenge, traveling, learning, and new friendships. This past week, I made the last trip I will make to Martha's Vineyard for work. Driving from Virginia to Woods Hole, Mass is quite the ride; Thankfully I had my faithful copilot, Meredith, to assure that it would not be a boring adventure.

12 hours, multiple 'necessary' stops, and one ferry ride later, we arrived on this beautiful island.
The humidity makes the paper damp, chips soggy, and skin greasy but nevertheless, the island is a place of comfort, friendship and incredible memories for hundreds of people each summer. A special property that has seen the hand of God protect it, prosper it and guide it for decades.

This is also the island where Kyle proposed, so obviously I'm very biased towards this Cape Cod wonderland.

The Vineyard is the epitome of New England Culture- plaid shorts, sail boats, Vineyard Vines, sperrys , lobster, Black Dog and "yuppies". Not to mention the vacation destination of the Obamas and Kennedys.

While I am soaking in all the Vineyard has to offer, Kyle is enjoying the laid back culture of Norton, VA.

The smallest town of the Commonwealth, Norton is nestled in the southwestern mountains, just a short drive from the Tennessee and Kentucky borders. A rural area of 3,000 people populate the town off of Interstate 58. Skeet shooting, fishing, gun collections and sweet Ms.Bean's home encompass his life outside of the walk-in clinic. His four week stay created the perfect opportunity for me to visit the Vineyard.

Although I love the island and coworkers, I can't help but miss my hubby. UVA requires that students have certain "away" rotations in which they are placed in different hospitals throughout the commonwealth in the hopes of gaining experience in different settings. Unfortunately, this results in Kyle having to be gone 3 months out of the next 9 months.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

 

Welcoming July!

{this post was imported from my old blog} 

 

The month of July began with a weekend in Virginia Beach. It could not have worked out any better- one of Kyle's closest friends, Stu, and his wife, Ashley, planned a week long getaway to Virginia Beach. It happens that we only live 2 hours away from this vacation destination:) We had a great time relaxing on the beach, catching up, and exchanging hilarious marriage stories.
It was great for us to get away and spend some time together with a couple that we adore before we had to leave one another for 3 weeks.

Now let's not forget that the word beach also equates to water which equates to fishing- Kyle's favorite past time. And by past time I mean addiction. As you may have guessed, we were all taken along to this adventure by the excitement that my hubby exudes at just the thought of a shark being hooked. Even though fishing is not my favorite hobby, I love the passion Kyle has at the idea of being on the water all day- soaking up the rays, talking to strangers about whats biting and bringing every pole possible just in case- it never fails to convince me (and everyone else) how fun fishing can be!

The fun filled weekend ended with a cookout with friends at our home and watching the Charlottesville Fireworks!

Susie Homemaker (s)

{this post was imported from my old blog} 

Many people have warned me that when I had my own home I would suddenly become very interested in gardening, flowers, landscaping, baking, cooking and decorating. I will be the first to admit that we proved this theory completely correct.

Conversations have turned from discussions about jobs or school to "our flowers have bloomed!", "we transplanted the hasta this morning!"  or "I baked my first homemade apple pie!" 

To quote my step mother, "you big dork!" It's true. 

Example Number 1: Kyle and I pull in the driveway from a long day of driving. Instead of going directly to the door to throw our shoes off and feet up, Kyle wanders around the yard for a few minutes in order to see how all of our flowers and plants are coming along. Our tree at the top of the driveway produced a new pink flower, the fern has grown a half of inch and the grass is coming in!

Lesson Learned: It's the little things in life...

Here's some pictures to give substance to all these hobbies...

 

Next mission: To plant an organic garden (more to come...)