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. 

PJ party and St. Jude Half Marathon

On Friday night, the EL girls had a Christmas party complete with pj's, cooking decorating, a bonfire, games, and the movie, Elf.  It was great just hang out and start the Christmas season off together.

Merry Christmas!!!

Karly and I had fun with this awesome stocking blanket!

Then, on Saturday, I went to the St. Jude Half Marathon.  This is the 2nd year in a row that I've been able to cheer on friends running in the race.  It was so fun!  And, the St. Jude races are so much more meaningful than most.  All proceeds go to raise money for children with cancer.  It's also really cool because the city of Memphis comes together in a beautiful way for a great cause.  Anyway, let me give you the rundown of my runners.  Brian and Emily ran the half for the first time!  And, Kyle ran the half for the second time!  Tracy and I had fun tracking their times and finding them along the race path.  It was such a fun day!  Great job guys!

The Rowell's

Silly Stewart's!

Go Brian!!!

Go Kyle!!!

Go Emily!!!

Family Thanksgiving

It was good!  We ate alot of food and laughed alot, too.  I finally got to eat my Memaw's carrot cake.  My mom made the cake, and I made the icing.  It was to die for!

The feast!  (I told her to do that. ;)



Me and my cousin, Olivia



The uncles and Dad... rough lookin' crew!

EL Thanksgiving!!!

Saturday night, we had our Emerging Leaders Thanksgiving dinner.  We had tons of delicious food and time to spend together.  Or, watch football.  (ahem. ahem.)  Nevertheless, it was great to be together.  :)

EL girls!



We were missing a few in the first one.
A few people's heads were cut off in this one!  Love it though!

Halloween 2012

Halloween was awesome this year.  Our house hosted a party for the EL program.  And, I have to say it was great!  Liz and Kelly did a fantastic job of decorating and planning the party.  We had a dance party, photo booth, and bonfire with s'mores!  We also had tons of food.  Everyone dressed up, and there are pics to prove it!  :)

Cute house

Very interesting bonfire...




Ballerina and Batman...



Madea came!

Yorkshire girls  :)

Me and Becca



Me, Rachel, and Jacob

A year ago today...

A year ago today I was flying from East Asia to Memphis.  I can't believe it's been a year.  That's just crazy!  My experience in and around East Asia was a vortex of weirdness up until a couple of months ago.  And, then with the Lord's help and the help of several godly women, I was really challenged to deal with things.  For the first time, I brought it all before the Lord in prayer.  And, everything began to change.  Finally, there are many things I see now that I didn't see before.  And, there are a few things I need to get off my chest.

While I was in East Asia and after I came home, I was not a pleasant person to be around.  I was jerk to my family and friends.  (There's another word I could use, but it's not blog appropriate or very ladylike.)  I was not myself.  I was rude and hurtful.  I did damage to probably every relationship in my life, including my relationship with the Lord.  I see that now.  I tried to do it all on my own.  I tried to deal with all the changes and challenges without any help from anyone.  I didn't want to tell people when I was struggling or what was difficult about the experience.  I thought I could handle everything.  Well, clearly, that didn't work out at all.  I see that now, too.  We were never meant to "do this life" alone, not here in the U.S. or wherever God may call us to go.  And, that has been one of the most painful lessons I've ever had to learn.

Also, I've learned that the enemy (that's what I call him) is very really.  He seeks to steal, kill, and destroy.  And, for way too long, He did all of those things in my life.  He stole my joy.  He killed my enthusiasm for what the Lord has called me to.  He destroyed my thoughts and mindset.  I let the enemy have WAY TOO much say in my life.  All of this happened because my relationship with the Lord was not what it should have been.  And, the enemy loves to attack when we are trying to obey what God has called us to do.

In all of this, I have learned that I must take responsibility for things that went "wrong".  I have learned some things happened that were out of my control.  And, I have learned that sometimes the Lord allows us to experience seasons of suffering, and we may never know why.  It may just be the only way He could get the most glory.  Or, it may just be the only way He can teach us what we need to learn.  I can promise you this though.  I will never be the same because of what He has taught and is still teaching me.  You know people say that time heals all wounds.  I believe it's the Lord who heals all wounds.

East Asian cuteness!