baking, parades, and resting

My weekend was full, but quite delightful.

Friday,

I got to babysit my adorable nieces!

We baked cookies

and colored

We also went to my in law's house for dinner and dessert. Family is so fun! 

Saturday,

I did a little photography, and then was in another baking mood!

I put on my apron, and made some Cranberry muffins...

Yummy and healthy too! 

The big event on Saturday was that our church was in a parade! 

Our theme was iHope. We made a float of an ipod that was logged on to Faithbook :) creative huh? It goes along with our new series coming up, which is iHope in God. 

After the parade our church worship team lead worship for the community!

Some leaders from around the city also came up and prayed for different things...so cool! 

We won 3rd place for our float! 

I ended the day with a little BINGO :) 

Sunday,

I was not feeling the greatest.

I stayed home from church, and slept alot. 

After some medicine and rest, I decided to make some homemade chicken noodle soup. It just seemed appropriate for a sicky on a rainy day 

My prince and I watched the Vikings loose AGAIN, and we both got some much overdo reading done.

Life is so busy.

I am realizing lately the importance of having a day to just rest.

I hope you all had wonderful, restful weekends! I would love to hear about them! 

Waiting For Tomorrow

I'm going to be honest with you.
I am the queen of procrastination.

Tomorrow...

I'll eat healthier

do my homework

fold the laundry

call that person

make that appointment

post that blog

... there's always tomorrow to get stuff done ... right? 

I find myself doing this in my relationship with God too. 

There's just not enough time today
or
I'm too tired

tomorrow...

I'll read the bible

pray for that person

give that money

give up that sin

be more loving

fully surrender

just not right now.
maybe tomorrow...
(have you ever felt this?) 

This song spoke right to me.

Lord, give us strength, courage, and perserverance to live for you completely TODAY.

Minnesota Bride

It's Friday! Wahoo!

I just wanted to share something kinda fun with you all!

I was informed that the Minnesota Bride Blog wanted to post some of our wedding pictures on their site...I was so happy with how all our pictures turned out, and it is so fun to see them on this site!

Check it out:

http://mnbride.com/blog/stillwater-wedding-vintage-vibe

That's all I have time for today...enjoy your weekend!! 

house keeping

Today I finally did some cleaning around the house. I have been noticing/being annoyed by the messes, dirt, and clutter everywhere...but I have been too lazy busy to actually do anything about it. 


Well I conquered the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and loads of laundry... It wasn't necessarily easy or fun, but I feel much better, and being in the house is more enjoyable! 

Have you ever experienced this??

I love when God uses everyday experiences (like cleaning) to remind me of greater truths. Here is what He reminded me of today...

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthian 6:19-20

hmmmm...

our bodies are the temples ( or house ) of the Holy Spirit.

I wonder how the Holy Spirit feels about a messy house? 

Our sin is like dirty dishes, laundry, and messy floors. We can ignore it, add to it, and make excuses for it...but it never goes away on its own. 

In fact, the longer we leave it, the more we add to it, and the ickier it becomes.  

It is not easy or fun to get rid of, but it is always worth it. 

And just like a house...we continually have to be cleansed. 

The difference between cleaning a house and cleaning our hearts is this:

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." ~1 John 1:9

We can not clean/purify ourselves. We must do the work of recognizing, confessing, and surrendering...but God is the one who will purify us! 

I'm so thankful that God loves us in our messes, but loves us too much to leave us there. 

pictures and purpose

My weekend was spent in South Dakota at LifeLight music festival! My prince and I took our youth group Friday night, and returned Monday night. 

Youth pastor and wife :)

goofy boys

coffee is a must have

Our group!

hanging out with the youth was a blast!

We had a little bit of car issues...

but we had lots of fun!

great music

I experienced God this weekend through music, speakers, fellowship, and his beautiful creation.

It was a great weekend, but I'm not going to lie...I am EXHAUSTED.

in fact, 

The past couple weeks I have not been feeling the greatest...

My body is tired, weak, and sick

My schedule is full

My mind is stressed 

My house is messy

...It's very easy for me to become crabby, or have a negative attitude.

BUT

The past couple weeks I have also been continually reminded that God is in control.

He is Alive in me, strong, and powerful

He has a plan for my life

He doesn't make mistakes

He knows what He is doing, and what is best for me

He loves to use messy people

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." ~Romans 8:28

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." ~Jeremiah 29:11

hmmm I just felt like I should share that with you all. I hope you are encouraged today! Despite how we feel, God is in control.

FALLing for you

Can you believe it is September already?! Summer has flown by!

I must admit though, that fall is my favorite season. Here are a few things I love about fall...

crunchy, colorful leaves

scarfs

hot coffee

apple orchards

cute boots

taking walks

beautiful sunsets

SO basically... taking a walk in an apple orchard with cute boots, a scarf, hot coffee, leaves, a sunset, and my prince!

:)

This weekend I am adding a new exciting thing to my fall favorites. My prince and I are taking our youthgroup to the LifeLight music festival in South Dakota! 

I am very excited.
Especially to see Tenth Avenue North, and to hear Francis Chan speak! (author of Crazy Love = great book)!

Well, my point in telling you all of this was to ask for your prayers this weekend. We are excited to see God move in our youth, and pray that their hearts will be open to TRUTH.

...

I would LOVE to hear what you are up to this holiday weekend??

OR

What you love about fall?? :)

The new me!

I am not going to lie...I have missed this blog world a little lot.

Therefore, I have decided to return! :)

Since I have last blogged, MUCH has happened. Including me becoming a wife. Yes, it has been a month since I have become a married woman!

I LOVE being a wife, and am learning a lot. It is not easy, but I am encouraged to know that God loves marriage. In fact He designed it!

The emphasis of Learning to Love is that I am always learning...I never know all the answers...and I always look to Christ's love as an example.

I hope to be honest, encouraging, and real as I share thoughts, experiences, and pictures of my life.


Will you join me again?! (or for the first time :))

Check out our wedding highlight video here!