Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Sass!!!

So one of my oldest friends (our friendship not her age :) ) got married this weekend! It's such a blessing to see two people joined in the Lord! Stacy and I were not the kind of girls that always talked and dreamed of our wedding days. Stacy did not date indiscriminately so  we  always figured that one day she would just meet the right guy and that would be it....guess we were right ! :) We drove down to Dedham, IA for the event on Saturday. A small town Catholic church filled to the brim with people that love Stacy and Justin...... a legion hall decorated very prettily.....a great meal which included dorito taco salad, mmmm......old friends, good dance music.....happily ever after :) 

Fun memories with Stacy: meeting at the freshman 24 hour retreat at Creighton, being the friend that "lived off campus", spending the night at Kiewit, McGloin, and then the apartment she shared with Jenny , that "one great summer" when we were practically inseparable.....spending 2 hours a day at the gym and the rest of the time outside work hanging out, our joint obsession for Harry Potter, angel food cake, & corn muffins, spending plenty of time with each others families inculding learning how to ski and many camping trips to Okoboji with the Irlbeck clan, travels to Iowa to hang out with her friends, rollerblading (once in February :) ), Stacy taking care of me and being someone to look up to when I did something stupid....again, staying friends even as we lived so far apart, living together for a summer while she did her internship at Mayo, being crazy excited that she was moving to Rochester,  studying purpose driven life together, looking at and making offers on houses with her, being crazy excited that she was engaged!, being crazy excited for her wedding to start Saturday............

Love ya girl!!

Godstop: 

We had an great sermon at church last night. It was titled "Gaining Traction" and from Joshua. This pastor actually taught my sunday school for a time at my last church and I always remember how real, humble, and passionate he was/is! Here are the main points I took away: 

*Traction for transformation is not determined by our past failures, our present condition, or even our future outcome. (Joshua 1:2)

*Scripture memorization is key to traction in transformation (1:8). He used the parallel of an old couple that had been living together for many years and knew each other so well and could finish each others sentences.....how cool if we could be like that with God. 

*Deep belief in God and bold actions (like Rahab, Joshua Ch 2). 

*We're too often running ahead of God instead of behind. Follow HIM not visa versa. (3:3)

*Just as the Israelites kept stones from the river to remind themselves and teach their children of all that God had done..........keep track of how God has worked in your life (ex, prayer or blessings journal). 

*'When I sin, YOU suffer.'  (Ch 7)

I think there is a reason I've heard this sermon twice. If you think about it, pray for me that I might not let these lessons pass me by without faith action on them!! 

Love you friends, have a great week!!!!!

 

What About Bob?!

I'm watching this movie at 12:54 am as I write this after an evening shift. My parents used to lament the fact that I loved this movie so much. I have to reluctantly admit.....it's not QUITE as funny as I used to think :) How could you not like a movie that gives such sound advice for life : "Take a vacation from your problems. "

I was asked on more than one occasion today what was on  my Christmas list. If you have to actually sit and think of what you could possibly need....it's probably a good indicator that you have too much stuff and don't need a thing. That could be the boat I'm in. There's never a good way to reject all the crazy gift buying though unless you can get your family on board. You can simplify within your own home but then there's always parents and grandparents etc that will never go for it. Suggestions: make a 1 gift limit, draw names instead of buying for everyone, make a rule that all gifts must be handmade, donate your gift money to church or a cause you all care about, pool your gift money as a family and plan a small trip together to have some quality time. What do you think Mom??!!

My egg timer let me down!! I have this great gadget for perfectly hard boiling eggs. It's made of glass and you drop it in your boiling water as you drop the eggs in and when it turns purple you know your eggs are hard boiled. Well,  yesterday for the first time ever, my eggs were not perfect :( Do these things wear out??? I've always used it, my moms always used it, her moms always used it...........I mean, how can this happen?!

This past weekend we went up to the cabin with two other couples and had a great time!!! The guys fished for muskees and pan fish.......with no luck :( The girls talked, walked, crocheted/knitted, watched movies, and cooked for the boys :) The leaves were just BEAUTIFUL...all reds and yellows :) We had fun watching the Packer and Vikings games with fans of both! Tommy (14 mos) was all smiles and laughs and great entertainment :) We even fit in a lively game of spoons with a  game of chubby bunny to choose the winner!!!!!

Godstop: 

How GREAT is our GOD!!!! Beautiful sunrises, changing leaves, cool breezes, genuine smiles from people in pain, a hug after a disagreement, a friend that really cares, traditions, the wedding of two believers.........God is so faithful and if we ask to be filled with His Spirit, oh how we will experience Him; He leaves signs for us at every turn!

Back to real life......

It had to happen. We both knew it would. You never know what it feels like until it happens to you. People try to comfort you, but you know they don't really feel bad for you. You look at the pictures of good times gone by and shed a tear. You try to make yourself feel better by putting together a photo book and eating halloween candy.......

Um....so yeah, vacation is over and we're back to life and work :) We've spent this week getting back into the swing of things....work, laundry, cooking, football :) We went to a beautiful wedding on Friday night....Congrats Mel & David!!!! Lovely fall colors and the whole crew was back together so that was great fun :) Kyle's work has sucked him back in unfortunately.....he was funny after his first day back to work.... "yeah everyone is a little stressed out....it's almost like they haven't just had 3 weeks off work"  :)  While it's hard to go back after such a nice little break, we are just so thankful to both have jobs that we enjoy and are good at to provide for our little family. 

Godstop: 

Kyle and I decided a bit ago that the next thing we would study together would be Isaiah. Finally this week we started reading chapters 1-4. I just keep thinking this week what it was like and will be like for those that God turns his hand against.....how SCARY!! How are people NOT afraid of God and hell??? Even if you don't believe.......doesn't some little tiny inkling inside you wonder if all the people you know aren't just crazy or weak or lying to themselves and just maybe there is a God and heaven and hell and the whole bit........I mean what if you're wrong and hell is where you go if you never put your faith in Jesus???? I mean what if you die and find out that all of your good deeds aren't really what mattered in life or you find out that you didn't just cease to exist.....and your standing before God to answer for yourself????  Don't take that chance. 

Now that I've thoroughly gotten creeped out just thinking about all that........... I'm ever so thankful that Jesus died for ALL of my sins, that all I had to do was ask him to forgive me and come into my life, and that I get to KNOW I'm going to heaven when I die!!!!  Praise for that!!!!

Few More Pics......

Week Three

Day 15: We had driven down to Perth at the end of the day before so this morning we only had an hour drive to Edinburgh. We dropped off the car - whew! It all actually felt natural after driving for 8 days. We had lunch at the Sir Walter Scott Tea Room (macaroni and cheese is not the same in Scotland :(  ). We took the Sightseeing Bus Tour this afternoon and saw Holyrood House, Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh Castle, and drove through Old Town and New Town. Dinner at Maxies ( a very unique little restaurant tucked in a back alley). 

Day 16: We had planned to climb Arthur's Seat today but again....it's raining and poor visibility....poor Kyle didn't get to climb anything  this trip :(  We instead went to Edinburgh Castle and found it very interesting. We walked from there to the Scottish History Museum.....very strange....it wasn't in any sort of coherent order so you didn't really learn a whole lot....I did learn that American's were referred to as 'the rebels' back in the day :)

Day 17: We flew down to London from Edinburgh last night so this morning we just slept in and got all packed up. We had a 2:25pm flight and it went MUCH better. Kyle's parents were nice enough to pick us up at the airport and we stayed with them that night as it was about 3am Uk time by the time we went to bed. 

So that's that!! A lovely trip that we'll always remember!! I learned that God is AMAZING, my husband is a blessing from above,  and always take a Tom-Tom :)

Week Two

Day 8: We drove a bit more through the Cotswolds. This was the most beautifully sunny day!!! And then onto southern Wales. We checked into our favorite B&B in Abergavenny. Very plush with wonderful breakfast :) The change in scenery between England and Wales is drastic and starts the instant you cross the border. Wales is dense with trees and mountains-- very beautiful.  This is the night we had the most uncomfortable dinner yet at the Angel Hotel.....let's just say it was obvious we weren't locals. 

Day 9 : We drove around Brecon Beacons National Park this day. Kyle was a little sick but we decided to take a hike down to some waterfalls anyways. The beloved Tom-Tom took us through some crazy country roads to get to the trail head but was a fun adventure. We saw a lot of sheep  :) Dinner at Indian place Shashi (Kyle joked that I picked this place just so I would get friendly service) :)

Day 10: Drove north about 3 hours to northern Wales. We went to Swallow Falls (you'll see that we like our waterfalls) and then to Conwy. Conwy is a town surrounded by a fortress wall with Conwy Castle overlooking-- pretty cool. Actually was a super cute town near a bay. Dinner that night at The Old Ship-- three thumbs up for character and great toffee pudding :)

Day 11: Drove about 3 hours to get to Lake Country (back in England). We stayed in Windermere. Took a long drive this afternoon to see Windermere, Grasmere, Thirlmere, and Derwentwater (all beautiful lakes). Found and Italian place for dinner (finally!). 

Day 12: Getting very tired of English breakfast (poached eggs, bacon thats more like ham, sausages, cooked mushrooms and tomatoes, and baked beans.......bleck!). We were planning to climb a mountain this day but it was cloudy and visibility was poor....pity :) :(  Drove up to Ullswater and did climb a very small mountain as it had cleared a bit. 

Day 13: Long day of driving up to Scotland. Stopped and had lunch at a pretentious little restaurant on Loch Lomond-- not great food but lovely view! BEAUTIFUL drive through the Scottish Highlands....breathtaking!! Stayed in Mallaig and dinner at Cornerstone restaurant. Had the BEST fish I've EVER tasted.....Haddock caught that morning and cooked in butter :)

Day 14: Early ferry to the Isle of Skye.....stunningly beautiful. Saw Armandale Castle, toured Talisker Distillery, walk out in the country near the water, otter haven with no otters. Ready to move to Scotland after these few days :)

Week One

Day 1: We arrived around 1215pm after a grueling, cramped 9 hour overnight flight.  We took the tube to our hotel and crashed for a few hours. Later that afternoon we walked around Hyde Park and the Oxford St Shops. We settled on the restaurant Suze, in Mayfair, and had a nice Australian dinner. 

Day 2: I battled like a million stairs in the tube station with my heavy suitcase....no escalator in this one! Our friends, Paul & Lizzy & new baby Joe, picked us up in Winchester and we spent the day walking around there. I was able to see where Kyle used to live and work and his favorite pub (The Black Boy). IBMers, the site in Winchester is MUCH nicer than the site here. Our camera broke about 10 minutes after we got here so no pictures from this weekend :(  . 

Day 3 : Had a nice breakfast of tea and crumpets :) Drove to see the New Forest (actually it has been around since before the Bronze Age). We hiked around a bit. There are many many wild horses that life in the New Forest and it was nice to just see them everywhere grazing and paying us no mind. This was the first night that I slept fairly normal-- Kyle still had to wait another day for this. 

Day 4 : We got back to London for a few days of sightseeing in the big city (reminded me why I don't like big cities)! We saw Trafalgar square and a nice Impressionist exhibit on at the British National Gallery. In the evening we went to church at the Metropolitan Tabernacle (where Kyle used to go)-- there was a nice message and we made it to dinner without being mugged or worse (very sketchy area of town after dark we found out). Late dinner at the Cork & Bottle Wine Bar. 

Day 5:  We bought a new camera!!! Ventured out and saw Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, London Tower, early dinner at Satsuma and saw STOMP :)

Day 6: Train to Bath. Walked a bit and then lunch at the infamous Pizza Express. Then to Jane Austen Centre--- I love Jane Austen and she used to live in Bath-- Kyle was a good sport. In the afternoon we saw the Roman Baths-- actual hot springs and surrounding buildings that the Romans believed were from the Gods and used for healing and relaxation. Moroccan for dinner this night and then homemade fudge in front of the TV later :)

Day 7: To get the car....dum dum dum dum! One small hitch....they didn't have an automatic like we had reserved. I was ready to cry but Kyle kept a good attitude and it worked out great. He was AMAZING with the driving.......stick shift, left side of the road, unknown territory, me as navigator!  That day we drove through the Cotswolds (an area filled with really OLD villages built with wool money from back in the day). Did some walking in the countryside and shopping in the little shops. We stayed in a lovely old B&B at an estate out in the countryside near Bibury. 

Our Trip!

So we are back. It's official- vacation is over. I know this because Kyle just left for work. A little sad to have it all behind us but also feeling amazingly blessed that we were able to share this experience. There is also something to be said for sleeping in your own bed- aaahhhh. 

So we had a 'brilliant' few weeks traveling around the UK!! We were able to visit some old friends (new friends for me) and see their new baby. They showed us hospitality of the highest order.  They introduced us to 'chassy' (aka stroller) and 'crumpets' (aka English Muffins) and taught me that you must never say 'pissed'-- it must always always be said 'pissed off' or it has an entirely different meaning. We were seeped in history as many things there date to far before there were  'the States'. We loved driving through the countryside of England, Wales, and then Scotland-- beautiful scenery throughout.  We experienced driving on the left side of the road, on roads through the mountains that clearly only had room for one car, switchbacks, around many sheep, and thankfully not into anyone else :) We had a laugh about the various signs to be seen along the road side: one warning against ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR, ones with pictures of windsocks literally posted 20 feet before the actual windsock, ones with pictures of deer, sheep, badgers, one warning to watch our for ELDERLY PEOPLE---- Kyle got caught taking a picture of this last one and was given some very wierd looks. We stayed in hotels and B&B's and only had one sketchy one. We marveled at the fact that pub food has little to no variation no matter where you are throughout 3 countries. Ahhhh.....but I could go on all day....here's a quick blurb about what we did everyday and a few pics. I don't have the energy to download them all onto here or facebook so you'll have to wait for the album when you see us in person :)