RUF at "The Barn"

Today I start work with what feels like a million thoughts running through my head

- What to do with Fran today?

- I really enjoy my sweet time in the car with Cal

- I can't believe I have to leave them in 3 months

- Where will Cam and I be in 3 months

- Campus ministry? Associate? A job outside of ministry?

- I can't wait to share our life with kiddos

- Will the Lord give us kids?

The reality is there are so many unknowns in our life right now. There are things to be thankful for that leave us humbled and grateful. There are things we are grieving; situations, circumstances, feelings that are groaning from the pains of the fall and leave us crying, come Lord Jesus. 

And as all of those thoughts scramble through my head, my heart is brought here, to "The Barn". And in the quiet whispers of my heart I hear...

- Turn on those songs Kaela, the ones that first taught you who I AM

- Sing them Kaela;  "All must be well", "In the Hours of Pain and Sorrow, "Abide with Me"

- That's who I AM Kaela

And now, 2 years out of college, I am still being ministered to by RUF. I check my inbox... an email from Paul to Cam and me. It's the outline of Sunday's large group titled "Living Faithfully through the Ups and Downs of everyday life" -- praising God when things go right and when things go wrong. 

The Importance of Theology and Preaching in the Christian Life: 

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; the trusted, and you delivered them. To you the cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

Psalm 23:3-5

- Thank you Lord for RUF

- Thank you for "The Barn" and the promises you made to me there and continue to uphold

- Thank you for the Patricks who faithfully love on their students even after college. 

- Thank you for music that reminds me of true things

- Thank you for scripture that tells your story and mine

- Thank you for always being faithful to me even though I am not faithful to you.

And so as we wait Lord to see what you have next for us, give us patience and trust. Give us expectations of hope and joy. And Lord I pray that in whatever you have for us, please give us opportunities to love on college students in the same way we were loved. Use us -- let there be another Cam and Kaela out there who need to be adopted into your family and called child.  

Valentine's Day

With Valentine's falling on a Thursday this year, I didn't really expect much in the realm of celebrating from Cam or me. A simple card and a reminder that we love each other -- then out the door to work and class at night. 

Instead, I found this on our kitchen table when I got home. This year we celebrated with an adventure. We adventured into the world of making our own sushi!(Cam you are very creative regardless of what you say) So with 45 minutes before we had to leave we enjoyed some delicious appetizers and went to class anticipating coming home. 

Delicious red velvet cookies with cream cheese icing!

Two beautiful roses

Preparing our ingredients -- we've watched the legit sushi makers many times... some how we weren't quite able to chop the avocado like they do. 

And the final product

Rolling them wasn't our strongest asset and our rice was a little bulky... actually we didn't use the right rice at all haha but it was still good!

In the end, I enjoyed yet another adventure with you Mr. Smith. Thanks for making Valentine's special. I look forward to many more as the years go on.

Harry Potter World

This past weekend Cam and I flew to Orlando for a couple of days. It was a blast! We had anticipated, when making the plans, for it to be a get away trip for the two of us. But being with family while we were there ended up being great and relaxing!

About 3 years ago we received Harry Potter World tickets for Christmas presents. This weekend, we finally used them. It was incredible -- so detailed, so many intricate things to see, hear, smell, and taste. We escaped into a dream world for a couple hours and it was glorious!

We visited my mama for a day -- not sure how she managed to avoid my camera. Surprise, surprise... we spent our time eating at all the local places I miss. Food has quickly become a main part of our traveling :) We looked at old pictures and played a new card game. Now, being a little older, I'm relearning who my mama is. I was able to see and value so many new things this trip and now having a husband, I'm able to listen to him describe the ways I'm like her. I enjoy that!

Time with Steve and Allyson was great! We watched movies, spent a ton of time on the back porch, and ate delicious food.

I'm thankful for our family and how they've sacrificed and graciously given so much to Cam and me. We don't deserve it, but we wouldn't be where we are without them! Thank you Jesus.

I would buy this stuff in the store!

Couldn't quite capture it, but it's the warning flyer of Sirius Black

The Three Broomsticks

Hogwarts

Olivander's -- they act out the scene where Harry gets his wand, but use a person in the audience! So cool!

mmhmm! Butterbeer

Beautiful 72 degrees outside!

FL seems to be on our new list of job searchings :) - this guy would move there in a heart beat!

Snow is magical

This weekend our house owners were out of town so we were in charge of taking care of the dogs. Around 9:30 Cam went downstairs, walked the dogs outside, and came back up to our apartment. Nothing exciting. 

We watched a movie until about 12:30 and were finally getting around to going to bed. I went to plug my phone in and was shocked at what I saw.

SNOW!! Snow is not simply another weather change for me, and maybe not for you either. For all my Gilmore Girl watchers -- snow is magical. (not just the first snow -- and no Cam didn't build me an ice skating rink in our front yard)

I was torn -- snow is magical and normally I would instantly run outside, but it was 12:30 and I am a little obsessive about my sleep. :)

With a 5 year old smile on his face, Cam looked at me and said let's go play in it. (LOVE the rare moments that I get to see his pure excitement -- I treasure them!) And without hesitation we bundled up.

 I'm so thankful for my camera that could capture just a glimpse of the beauty.

The sky was such a beautiful color and the trees were my favorite.

These trees bring out the child in me -- I picture talking trees, kinda like talking animals in Narnia.  I'm convinced these trees will talk and dance in heaven. 

Rose loved playing with Cam in the snow -- strange since she usually acts like a teenager

Snow might will be in heaven I just know it. Cal, the little boy I get to love on through out the week, asked me "Wouldn't it be awesome if you could play forever in snow and it wasn't cold?"

Some day bud, some day.