Saturday, March 2, 2013
Our Story...
I'm so ashamed that I haven't posted a blog in almost 15 months!!! that's a LONG time! and ALOT can happen in a year and a half and ALOT has!! so an update since the last time I posted... I arrived home from my visit with Luke in Australia... wait I never ever explained how lives even came together, ill start at the beginning... ( I never wanted this blog to be all about me but to be used to encourage others so ill try my best)
It was July 2010 and on a spur of the moment decision I decided to go to Prescott Conference, I had found really cheap tickets and had a place to stay for free so I took it all as a sign that I needed to be there. conference was amazing as usual, the seminars timely and the spirit of so tangible you could almost feel it in the heavy summer air. I was there without my other Cape Cod friends so this forced me to be more friendly to strangers and try and meet new people (which i am not naturally good at). one night after service Jess, Jensen and I got invited to a "pasta" fellowship at a girls house in Prescott which of course we agreed to do. anyways if you've ever been to a Prescott fellowship you wont be surprised when i say their were SO many people at this house we couldn't even get inside and once we did it was hard to breath, so I quickly grabbed some pasta and went out to the driveway which was also rapidly filling with people. While eating my spaghetti I got introduced to three guys that were here from Australia ( little did I know that Luke had already noticed me at church and had been trying to find a way to introduce himself without seeming too bold) both of Luke's friends were very talkative and outgoing and spent the evening trying to convince us Americans that Australia didn't have pizza and all sorts of other ridiculous things (which I did NOT believe for one second! although Luke would say otherwise). I left that evening not thinking much about anything except that I though Luke was cute... On Friday night two girls I was with wanted to go say goodbye to the Aussies so I tagged along even though I did really want to say good-bye i was way to shy to approach anyone by myself... so we are all standing in a circle saying our goodbye and Luke was standing across from me and I remember thinking "i would definitely go out with that boy if he asked me" (come to find out later he was GOING to ask me out that night but chickened out and went home very sad and depressed he never got my number or email or anything)... But as fate would find it a few months later through a mutual friend we got each others emails and started talking which lead to calling and then skyping and flower sending and visiting each other and to engagement and finally marriage :)
For anyone who has done long distance you know how hard and frustrating it can be at times, we got engaged in October and in March we still hadn't heard anything back about our fiance visa, to be honest I was very much over skyping and phone calls and just wanted to be in the same country as my husband to be... finally on March 23rd Luke's visa got approved! and from that point everything moved very quickly, I went from having thousands of wedding ideas on pintrest to having to make ALOT of decisions about everything by myself very quickly and I'm soo bad at that, but thanks to Curran and my mom and all my other bridesmaids and soo many other people we pulled it all together in a few months. Luke arrived June 15th and we got married July 15th.
Little girls dream of their wedding day their whole lives and I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect day. we spent the day before setting up and decorating the Bartely's front yard for our "whimsical garden reception" full of vintage books, flowers, lace table clothes, old doors and an antique claw foot bathtub (which was filled with ice and held our giant bowls of fruit salad) and all the other "breakfast theme" food was ready to go for the next day...
Of course it was hot day, it was the middle of July but getting ready that morning was so relaxed in Curran's cozy apartment, we all kept saying we couldn't believe how calm we all were :) my sister Justine (who was also my florist) arrived with the bouquets which were beyond perfect and even had ranunculus in them which was an amazing surprise because they're usually not available in July but she found them for me! As soon as I arrived at church my stomach started churning and I just focused on breathing... as soon as Luke and I joined hands at the altar and I looked into his eye I was at peace and felt safe and secure knowing this wonderful man who I loved so much was about to become my husband forever... after our millisecond kiss (probably the fastest on record) the rest of the afternoon hurried by in a happy, giggling, sweaty, smiling, kissing blur, pictures done at a garden and a railroad track...unlike most brides I actually ate at my reception (probably only because I was so excited about having quiche and a waffle making station haha)...
by 4 o'clock by 15lb dress felt like it weighed 100lbs and I was so
ready to be not sweaty (would not recommend a July wedding)... my
parents spoiled us with a couple of nights at a beautiful resort in
Dennis before we heading off the Florida for a week of sun, relaxation,
roller coasters and yummy food.
Ive only been married 7 months but I thank God everyday for what a blessing my husband has been to me and how God uses every situation to show me more about His love and sacrifice and is slowly teaching me to become the best wife I can possible be even though sometimes its very hard and our selfish human nature likes to interfere I wouldn't ever change anything and am so lucky to have such a hard working husband who constantly puts my needs over his own and is so thoughtful,loving,caring and romantic... I definitely got a keeper :)
It was July 2010 and on a spur of the moment decision I decided to go to Prescott Conference, I had found really cheap tickets and had a place to stay for free so I took it all as a sign that I needed to be there. conference was amazing as usual, the seminars timely and the spirit of so tangible you could almost feel it in the heavy summer air. I was there without my other Cape Cod friends so this forced me to be more friendly to strangers and try and meet new people (which i am not naturally good at). one night after service Jess, Jensen and I got invited to a "pasta" fellowship at a girls house in Prescott which of course we agreed to do. anyways if you've ever been to a Prescott fellowship you wont be surprised when i say their were SO many people at this house we couldn't even get inside and once we did it was hard to breath, so I quickly grabbed some pasta and went out to the driveway which was also rapidly filling with people. While eating my spaghetti I got introduced to three guys that were here from Australia ( little did I know that Luke had already noticed me at church and had been trying to find a way to introduce himself without seeming too bold) both of Luke's friends were very talkative and outgoing and spent the evening trying to convince us Americans that Australia didn't have pizza and all sorts of other ridiculous things (which I did NOT believe for one second! although Luke would say otherwise). I left that evening not thinking much about anything except that I though Luke was cute... On Friday night two girls I was with wanted to go say goodbye to the Aussies so I tagged along even though I did really want to say good-bye i was way to shy to approach anyone by myself... so we are all standing in a circle saying our goodbye and Luke was standing across from me and I remember thinking "i would definitely go out with that boy if he asked me" (come to find out later he was GOING to ask me out that night but chickened out and went home very sad and depressed he never got my number or email or anything)... But as fate would find it a few months later through a mutual friend we got each others emails and started talking which lead to calling and then skyping and flower sending and visiting each other and to engagement and finally marriage :)
For anyone who has done long distance you know how hard and frustrating it can be at times, we got engaged in October and in March we still hadn't heard anything back about our fiance visa, to be honest I was very much over skyping and phone calls and just wanted to be in the same country as my husband to be... finally on March 23rd Luke's visa got approved! and from that point everything moved very quickly, I went from having thousands of wedding ideas on pintrest to having to make ALOT of decisions about everything by myself very quickly and I'm soo bad at that, but thanks to Curran and my mom and all my other bridesmaids and soo many other people we pulled it all together in a few months. Luke arrived June 15th and we got married July 15th.
Little girls dream of their wedding day their whole lives and I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect day. we spent the day before setting up and decorating the Bartely's front yard for our "whimsical garden reception" full of vintage books, flowers, lace table clothes, old doors and an antique claw foot bathtub (which was filled with ice and held our giant bowls of fruit salad) and all the other "breakfast theme" food was ready to go for the next day...
Of course it was hot day, it was the middle of July but getting ready that morning was so relaxed in Curran's cozy apartment, we all kept saying we couldn't believe how calm we all were :) my sister Justine (who was also my florist) arrived with the bouquets which were beyond perfect and even had ranunculus in them which was an amazing surprise because they're usually not available in July but she found them for me! As soon as I arrived at church my stomach started churning and I just focused on breathing... as soon as Luke and I joined hands at the altar and I looked into his eye I was at peace and felt safe and secure knowing this wonderful man who I loved so much was about to become my husband forever... after our millisecond kiss (probably the fastest on record) the rest of the afternoon hurried by in a happy, giggling, sweaty, smiling, kissing blur, pictures done at a garden and a railroad track...unlike most brides I actually ate at my reception (probably only because I was so excited about having quiche and a waffle making station haha)...
 |
| waiting to be worn |
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| sister make up time |
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| apparently i though it was a good time to write letters to my bridesmaids :) |
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| our mason jar wedding favors and also drink cup for the reception |
Ive only been married 7 months but I thank God everyday for what a blessing my husband has been to me and how God uses every situation to show me more about His love and sacrifice and is slowly teaching me to become the best wife I can possible be even though sometimes its very hard and our selfish human nature likes to interfere I wouldn't ever change anything and am so lucky to have such a hard working husband who constantly puts my needs over his own and is so thoughtful,loving,caring and romantic... I definitely got a keeper :)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
I love lists... but God doesnt...
I’m getting a new perspective... a perspective of love, a desire to please out of want not duty... this is something I struggle with, not that I don’t love God with everything in me but I’m a person who loves lists... for me its easier to follow a list of dos and don’ts, I like when someone is like this is what you HAVE to do, I’m a horrible decision maker so in general I like when others make decisions for me but in my walk with God that just doesn’t work because our relationship with God is a one on one thing that others cant decide for you and there is no list of dos and don’ts to ensure a perfect Christian walk, everyday were faced with decisions either major or minor that will effect your life… but our relationship with God is a back and forth relationship, like any real friendship its requires give and take, trial and errors and constant learning from one another and that’s what its like with God and with a perception of love but falling in love with our creator and getting closer to him we learn how to make decisions to please him and want to do the things that bring joy to our lives… its not always black and white like lists are because if it was God would have never had to sacrifice his son for the world and life would just be a boring religious experience, because of sacrifice we get the peace, contentment and joy of personally knowing our savior in a freedom his salvation brings and there is nothing greater than that :)
learning to care...
well I’ve been a total slacker! but I’ve had a really good excuse... nursing school is not a nice thing and sucks every ounce of everything you have in you so you have nothing left to give or say when the day is over... but in two weeks it will all be over! praise god! for a year that dragged on I cant believe its really almost over, looking back I cant believe how much I’ve grown and changed and learned so many things about myself and how I see people differently...
haha well see I started an entry but got distracted! hey I'm trying here! but it is my goal to be more focused and faithful about writing as summer comes to an end, I'm hoping to haven't ore time once fall begins... I find it hard to sit down and write when its so beautiful and sunny outside, I need some rainy days to motivate me :) I do have like 5 half written blogs in my journal, I write down little notes when I get inspired or touched by something or when god speaks to me but forming those into something others can read takes a bit of work...
God has been doing so much in my heart this summer... a lot of ironing out and showing me little things I’ve been holding on to that are keeping me from doing all his has in my life... no matter where I am, in church, praying, listening to worship music the message has had a theme this summer "step up, raise the bar, sacrifice and don’t be afraid!" god has held up a mirror to heart and keeps showing me how I can love him more and the sacrifices I need to make to be closer to him... that IS what I’ve been seeking God for but when he actually shows you, your flesh steps in and gets all defensive, trying to justify human nature, I’m so thankful for Gods faithfulness and patience :) because I’ve been saved for a while I think its so easy to get to that comfortable place in your walk with God where you feel safe and secure and kind of hiding from God so he wont ask you for more... that’s where I’ve been for a while cozy in my little nook of Christianity... well I think god decided this little bird needed to be pushed from its nest, not by any major life changing event but by pushing me to make changes in my everyday life, ones that everyone wouldn’t even notice but have made a huge different in my heart and my daily walk God :)
haha well see I started an entry but got distracted! hey I'm trying here! but it is my goal to be more focused and faithful about writing as summer comes to an end, I'm hoping to haven't ore time once fall begins... I find it hard to sit down and write when its so beautiful and sunny outside, I need some rainy days to motivate me :) I do have like 5 half written blogs in my journal, I write down little notes when I get inspired or touched by something or when god speaks to me but forming those into something others can read takes a bit of work...
God has been doing so much in my heart this summer... a lot of ironing out and showing me little things I’ve been holding on to that are keeping me from doing all his has in my life... no matter where I am, in church, praying, listening to worship music the message has had a theme this summer "step up, raise the bar, sacrifice and don’t be afraid!" god has held up a mirror to heart and keeps showing me how I can love him more and the sacrifices I need to make to be closer to him... that IS what I’ve been seeking God for but when he actually shows you, your flesh steps in and gets all defensive, trying to justify human nature, I’m so thankful for Gods faithfulness and patience :) because I’ve been saved for a while I think its so easy to get to that comfortable place in your walk with God where you feel safe and secure and kind of hiding from God so he wont ask you for more... that’s where I’ve been for a while cozy in my little nook of Christianity... well I think god decided this little bird needed to be pushed from its nest, not by any major life changing event but by pushing me to make changes in my everyday life, ones that everyone wouldn’t even notice but have made a huge different in my heart and my daily walk God :)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
spoken for... are you?
peace like never before... covered by your love devine... this ones mine... To hear God say those words is the most amazing feeling of belonging and protection, almost untouchable in a way. It gives me strength and courage to fight whatever comes my way because I know I have God on my side.
Being spoken for by God, who satisfies every need makes it unnecessary to look anywhere else for approval or love or joy or contentment, and that brings such a confidence to your life :)
Being spoken for by God, who satisfies every need makes it unnecessary to look anywhere else for approval or love or joy or contentment, and that brings such a confidence to your life :)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
wordy wednesday...
Yay for snow days... they're probably one of my most favorite things about winter, they are much more appreciated when your in school (which I am this year) so I'm loving this day off... I should be studying for an exam i have tomorrow I got distracted on Ikea and YouTube and found my way here so decided to add a post because Ive had no time due to my insanely busy life...
Here's a little insight into my life:)
1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it?
I had a stuffed puppy dog who I called puppy and yes I still have him although I don't know exactly where he is...
2. Do you dream in color?
Yes I dream in color which I heard is rare but I'm not sure how true that is. Also weirdly my dream almost always make sense and are logical
3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller?
I'm 5'3" and sometimes I wish I was maybe one or two inches taller but I like being short :)
4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the guide on your GPS, who would it be?
I borrowed someones GPS once and it spoke to us in pirate which was hilarious so Ill stick with pirate talk and forget the celebs
5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot?
haha it depends on how close my car is parked to the corral and how bad the weather is...
6. What is your favorite Christmas song?
The first Noel, my middle name is Noelle and I got the name because I was born in December
7. Who was your favorite elementary school teacher and why?
My second grade teacher Mrs. Mecuri, she was the nicest teacher and loved teaching and made everyday exciting...
8. If you had a choice to live in any other period of time (other than now) what era would you choose and why?
hmm very hard decision, id like to live in ANY other time era, I hate this one! But if I had to choose Id say the 1940s or 50s, live was so much simpler back then...
9. What is the one thing that you reach for the most in a day (excluding phones and computers)?
Thats a tough one, probably my iced coffee or whatever drink I'm drinking or a pen since I'm always writing...
10. What is the farthest you have been from home?
Kenya, Africa
11. Coke or Pepsi?
Coca cola definitely!!!
12. If you could go back and change anything about your wedding day, what would it be and why?
well I haven't had a wedding day so I cant really answer this question but I will say I want I really simple wedding with beautiful flowers and an outdoor reception if possible :)
13. What's your "comfort food"?
mashed potatoes totally!! They make everything better!
14. Do you send Thank You's (handwritten or email)?
I do but they're usually like six months late haha better late than never right?
15. If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?
Off the Map... perfect mixture of adventure and medicine
Here's a little insight into my life:)
1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it?
I had a stuffed puppy dog who I called puppy and yes I still have him although I don't know exactly where he is...
2. Do you dream in color?
Yes I dream in color which I heard is rare but I'm not sure how true that is. Also weirdly my dream almost always make sense and are logical
3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller?
I'm 5'3" and sometimes I wish I was maybe one or two inches taller but I like being short :)
4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the guide on your GPS, who would it be?
I borrowed someones GPS once and it spoke to us in pirate which was hilarious so Ill stick with pirate talk and forget the celebs
5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot?
haha it depends on how close my car is parked to the corral and how bad the weather is...
6. What is your favorite Christmas song?
The first Noel, my middle name is Noelle and I got the name because I was born in December
7. Who was your favorite elementary school teacher and why?
My second grade teacher Mrs. Mecuri, she was the nicest teacher and loved teaching and made everyday exciting...
8. If you had a choice to live in any other period of time (other than now) what era would you choose and why?
hmm very hard decision, id like to live in ANY other time era, I hate this one! But if I had to choose Id say the 1940s or 50s, live was so much simpler back then...
9. What is the one thing that you reach for the most in a day (excluding phones and computers)?
Thats a tough one, probably my iced coffee or whatever drink I'm drinking or a pen since I'm always writing...
10. What is the farthest you have been from home?
Kenya, Africa
11. Coke or Pepsi?
Coca cola definitely!!!
12. If you could go back and change anything about your wedding day, what would it be and why?
well I haven't had a wedding day so I cant really answer this question but I will say I want I really simple wedding with beautiful flowers and an outdoor reception if possible :)
13. What's your "comfort food"?
mashed potatoes totally!! They make everything better!
14. Do you send Thank You's (handwritten or email)?
I do but they're usually like six months late haha better late than never right?
15. If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?
Off the Map... perfect mixture of adventure and medicine
Friday, December 24, 2010
love never fails...
Love is not proud
Love does not boast
Love after all
Matters the most
Love does not run
Love does not hide
Love does not keep
Locked inside
Love is the river that flows through
Love never fails you
Love will sustain
Love will provide
Love will not cease
At the end of time
Love will protect
Love always hopes
Love still believes
When you don’t
Love is the arms that are holding you
Love never fails you
When my heart won’t make a sound
When I can’t turn back around
When the sky is falling down
Nothing is greater than this
Greater than this
Love is right here
Love is alive
Love is the way
The truth the life
Love is the river than flows through
Love is the arms that are holding you
Love is the place you will fly to
Love never fails you
selfish love... unconditional
Love without change is not a relationship its just a ritual... Love without sacrifice is just religion...
What is love?
It is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, it is not rude or self-seeking, it is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always preserves...
Without a relationship with God you cannot know truly know what love is and without love you cant really know God. If you love God by the worlds standards your love for him will be selfish and prideful and it wont be LOVE at all...
To show true love you need to be willing to sacrifice and change. And these changes should come out of love not because you feel required or out of duty.
When your heart is right and you do this out of love, the sacrifice is less painful and God blesses it.
Living in this world its so easy to forget what love truly means, even as a christian and even though I do know what love really looks like because this world is so wicked and self centered, love quickly gets replaced with selfish ambition, pride, lust or jealously.
Loving another person with Christ like love can be very difficult sometimes. Its so much more than just emotions running rampant, showing someone unconditional love is showing them the patience,joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness that God shows us everyday. it is definitely a challenge and something we all fall short of doing often. But that's why having a personal relationship with God is so amazing because slowly as we grow closer to God we become more and more like him and that's such an amazing thing because Gods love is overwhelming and so faithful and sovereign and beyond anything we could ever reach but a standard we should strive for daily.
I write this on Christmas Eve one of my favorite nights of the year, usually filled with family and friends, laughter and yummy food. The Eve of one of the most important days on earth, the day God gave earth the greatest expression of love, the birth of Jesus given to us to bring salvation and redemption of the world :)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
What is love?
It is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, it is not rude or self-seeking, it is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always preserves...
Without a relationship with God you cannot know truly know what love is and without love you cant really know God. If you love God by the worlds standards your love for him will be selfish and prideful and it wont be LOVE at all...
To show true love you need to be willing to sacrifice and change. And these changes should come out of love not because you feel required or out of duty.
When your heart is right and you do this out of love, the sacrifice is less painful and God blesses it.
Living in this world its so easy to forget what love truly means, even as a christian and even though I do know what love really looks like because this world is so wicked and self centered, love quickly gets replaced with selfish ambition, pride, lust or jealously.
Loving another person with Christ like love can be very difficult sometimes. Its so much more than just emotions running rampant, showing someone unconditional love is showing them the patience,joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness that God shows us everyday. it is definitely a challenge and something we all fall short of doing often. But that's why having a personal relationship with God is so amazing because slowly as we grow closer to God we become more and more like him and that's such an amazing thing because Gods love is overwhelming and so faithful and sovereign and beyond anything we could ever reach but a standard we should strive for daily.
I write this on Christmas Eve one of my favorite nights of the year, usually filled with family and friends, laughter and yummy food. The Eve of one of the most important days on earth, the day God gave earth the greatest expression of love, the birth of Jesus given to us to bring salvation and redemption of the world :)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
summer 2010 memories...
summer...acceptance into the LPN program... Esther's 1st birthday... Prescott conference: awesome week filled with friends and god settling my unstable foundation...Bethany getting engaged... Debbie's wedding!... going blond... a multitude of beach days... nickerson campfires... rope swings... hot air balloon festival... ballet lessons... joy and peace finally restored... Lindsey and Ashley moving to the cape... morality parade/celebrate America... moving home... Rochester trip!... museum of play... Niagara falls... Jacksonville...
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