Baby Stewart's Shower

On Sunday, I had the privilege of helping host a baby shower for two of my dearest friends, Emily and Kyle.  They are pregnant with their first, baby girl Stewart.  We had so much fun celebrating them and baby girl Sunday afternoon.  I tried to create a storybook theme for the shower, complete with a storybook cake, Dr. Seuss sign-in book, and a "Once Upon a Baby" banner.  I can admit it: I had fun decorating for this shindig!  Tracy, Jennifer, Carrie, and I all had fun throwing this shower for the Stewart's.  I think seeing all the cute pink, purple, and ORANGE (for the UT Vols of course) frills, bows, socks, hats, and outfits really made it real!  She'll be here so soon!

Decorations!!! (Hanging decor made possible by Brian Rowell.)

The sweet cake...it was so good!

The corsage, the quilt, sweet friends...

Of course, the shower would not have been complete without a few funny things.  Emily's corsage was so pretty and purple.  Tracy and I forgot about it until halfway through the shower.  Then, pinning it on  became quite the task.  Several brave souls tried, but none succeeded.  It was pretty funny!  Then, there was the cake cutting.  None of us wanted to do it.  But, luckily, Tracy stepped up and did an awesome job!  

The quilt was made by my mom.  And, I have to brag on her for a minute.  It is so beautiful!  I helped pick out the colors and fabric, but take NONE of the credit.  My mom did an awesome job!  It is so special to me.  Emily is one of my closest friends.  She's been there for me through many, many things over the years, both happy and difficult times.  It's just special to celebrate with her and Kyle.  And, I think I speak for so many people when I say, I can't wait to meet her!!!!  I'm so stinkin' excited!  Kyle and Emily are going to make great parents.  I think baby girl already has them wrapped around her little finger, especially Kyle.  

It's been a while...

So, I think it's safe to say:  I'm a horrible blogger.  Considering my last post was in December, I should probably be fired.  Haha.  I guess I just haven't had enough exciting things to write about lately.  However, I will say 1 big change has happened in my life recently.  I moved from the Downline house where I lived for the past year.  At the end of July, all the ladies of Yorkshire Manor moved out and a new group of Emerging Leader ladies moved in.  (They're awesome!)  It was bittersweet.  Kelly, Jill, JaNell, and I all stayed in Memphis.  Liz set out on her next big adventure and moved to Nashville.  (She's the happiest girl I know, as it's been a dream of hers to live in Nashville! :)

Anyway, I moved from the Manor to Binghampton.  If you know me very well, you know what a big deal this is.  BINGHAMPTON!!!  And, I'm probably the happiest girl to be living in this neighborhood.  Seriously!  This has been 5 years in the making.  I'll take you back 5 years real quick to explain myself.  In 2008, I worked for a urban home repair ministry here in Memphis called SOS, Service Over Self.  It was there that God truly rocked my world, and I haven't been the same since.  It was through SOS that God really broke my heart for the poor and showed me what His Word says about loving and serving them.  I worked on summer staff at SOS again in 2009.  That summer God spoke very clearly to me about a few things.  What He showed me was a clear calling on my life to the inner city and to the nations.  It was almost like He was saying, "This is where I want you.  I want you to live among and serve the poor and the nations.  And, if you're not doing those two things, you're disobeying me.  It's that simple."  No, He didn't talk to me in an audible voice.  (Although, that would have been pretty awesome!)  But, He made it very clear through hearing the same passage of scripture taught several times in a matter of days.

So, now, I find myself living in the Bing.  And, I have to admit:  so far, I haven't lived any more intentionally than I did in East Memphis or Bartlett.  I'm learning my view of community and neighborhood needs to change.  I'm learning I need to step outside myself alot more in order to really love my neighbors.  I'm learning there are deeply rooted sins that rear their ugly heads more often now that I live in this neighborhood.  I'm learning sweet Mrs. Taylor, who lives next door, could teach me alot about gardening.  Her yard puts ours to shame!  I'm learning I have so much to learn from my neighbors.  I have so much to learn about loving the way Christ did.  To love without reservation or thought of what it might cost me.  To love unselfishly and with no expectation of anything in return.