christmas was so so grand.
it was a christmas of firsts and lasts. it was canaan and i's first christmas together and the anniversary of us getting engaged. we got to be in the very place where we got engaged, which was so special.
and it was a last in my home of 13 years. the years that i remember the most. the years where i was shaped and molded into who i was to become. the years i spent last with my dad. t was the last christmas as my mom being a "driver". an emotional, yet really wonderful christmas. knowing some things are going to change makes you appreciate what you have presently. now on to new memories!
after christmas eve services, canaan's boss & his family opened up their home to us. love the young family and their hospitality! then we got up early on christmas day and jetted to tennessee, first class style!
it was such a
whirlwind of three days of being at home, and not nearly enough time for
me, but the time we had there was so great.that morning we got to spend with the chapman's and see the holiday excitement of the jollys [cane's asian sisters] opening up their gifts and giggling and moving from lap to lap to take in all that was happening. that evening, we headed to the boro and did gifts and games with my family. canaan had to leave thursday morning, so we spent all wednesday with his family and then i spent the next day with my family.
it was so so good to be with my mom, grams, & aunt shannon. we go way back together, so it was good to have some time with just them. thursday, we went to SATCO [aka heaven]. and then headed to opryland hotel to look at the lights!
onesie time!!
i was even blessed to see my besties for a sec! i was going to see my bestie, katie, but she had surgery that day and was zonked. but got to hang with ang and hillary! love love love what those girls mean to me and what joy they bring to my life. encouragement, life talks, Jesus moments, and not without a ton of laughing and a little dancing. =]
alright, leaving a verse to end this post that i hope will bless you for the new year. 1 thessalonians 5:23-24. this fills up my heart SO much. our God who calls us to Him is faithful! HE will surely do it!
ok. so i am going to majorly update everyone on life is TEXAS.
- me and canaan have been married for 2.5 months now! it's gone by so so fast and has been a blast the entire time! [accidental rhyming there...] being married is fun fun fun.
- working with the youth at prestonwood has been my favorite thing about dallas so far. love these kids and their hearts. some of the most amazing boys and girls living their lives out for the Lord! love seeing Him work like this and beyond thankful to get to witness it!
- ya'll, if you ever want to move somewhere, dallas is great. i haven't met one unfriendly person yet. it was such a blessing from the Lord to provide us with so many families that have taken canaan & i in.
- it's 3 days until christmas and i canNOT wait to be home for the holidays! because canaan is working the christmas eve services, we are going to leave early on christmas day and fly in. this is a bittersweet christmas for me because it will be the last one in my house that i grew up in. mom is getting married to mike in february [woot woot!], so this will be the last memory of christmas in the house that has all of our family memories. the last holiday in the house where my dad was. but change is good and is of the Lord! thank goodness for new days and new mercies. it just means i will soak up all i can this time and truly enjoy it.
- i am currently in the process of starting a new job! it's an assistant position for the president of a ministry called bridge builders. yall should check it out here! i am truly excited about this, for multiple reasons. 1) i need routine and am not the type that doesnt work. at least not yet. so a job will be really good for me! i need to feel like i contribute in that way. i will miss the impromptu visits to see canaan or have coffee with highschool girls, though! 2) this ministry is so amazing. it is about working with urban communities and turning them around for the Lord. just being there for an interview and we prayed 3 different times while touring the warehouse. so incredible! needless to say, i am super excited about being considered to join their team.
well, that's all i can think to share this time! super general things, but wanted to catch up to now!
merry christmas everyone!!
