Happy Anniversary to US!

When I left my house this morning, off to Cartoogechaye Elementary School for a day of 2nd grade, I couldn't help but allow my heart to sing its praises to King Jesus for His Mercy, Goodness, and Grace.

You see, two years ago today, I drove down the same street as I did this morning, peered out at the sky as silent tears began to stream. The sky was a crisp, fall blue without the faintest hint of a cloud. The leaves were changing and the day was warm - it was a day that any bride would have prayed for - and for me, it was my wedding day.

Many times we have prayers that we pray without ceasing. We may pray that our loved ones come to know Christ as their Savior, that our family members will be healed, or that our burdens would be lifted. Although we pray these prayers, there is not a specific deadline for these prayers to be answered. We just pray and lift our requests and wait for the answers.

The wedding had been planned. The orders were in. The dress had been purchased. The day was set. The arrangements? An outside wedding and reception at the end of September. I, was ecstatic and could not wait. Others, shared their concern for rain. We certainly had a back up plan, but I sure didn't want to have to put it into action.

I knew that Jesus wanted me to share my heart with Him, regardless to what it is. But this was so trivial. This request of mine, this desire of my heart, was only for me, so selfish. Then I realized. This was something that I could not do. I could not promise a day of good weather. I could not ensure there would not be rain. Therefore, I simply shared my heart to the only One that could answer my prayer.

As the day that so much had gone into, quickly approached, I was overwhelmed to know that on September 29, 2007, my prayer would be answered in some way or another. This was the deadline for my prayer.

My wedding day arrived and in the midst of the hustle and bustle. I stepped out on my back porch and rejoiced in the Lord for who He was. It was He who had heard my prayer. He had heard the quiet request of my heart and though I was ashamed to ask of this weather, it was He who reminded me that He does long to hear every desire of our hearts.

This day was special because of those that stood beside us as we promised our love to one another. There were 12 people in our wedding party, all 12 holding a special place in our hearts. Six of those individuals were those that we have lived our lives with all our lives, our family. The other six were those that we met as we served the Lord together in some form of missions.

Since this special day, Brandon and I have watched God provide in ways that we could not provide for ourselves. We praise Him and the love that only He can give.

I find myself falling in love with Brandon more and more each day. I'm thankful for who he is and who I am when I am with him. It is Brandon who makes me feel as though I can reach my fullest potential. Oh how I love him. Each day of our lives is yet a new adventure.

Enjoy some wedding day memories.

This picture is all of our wedding party minus Matthew. We're not sure exactly where he was at this point.

Mr. & Mrs. Breedlove

Us again.

Cake.

The ceremony & JP singing "I Will Be Here" by Steven Curtis Chapman

Me, eyes fixed on the one that I love most.

Birthdays!

Tuesday, Septemeber 22nd, I celebrated my 25th birthday. As each birthday passes, I tend to evaluate myself and see how I am coming with my own "bucket list". I may not have reached many goals, I have experienced a lot that was never a part of my "things to do".

I am grateful for what God has enabled me to do for Him. I have been able to serve in Malaysia, Thailand, and Morocco. I am married to my very best friend, the love of my life, Brandon. We have a place we call "home" and make memories everyday. God has provided a way for me to finish my degree and I will be graduating in May 2010. There is so much to be thankful for.

We did not only celebrate my birthday on Tuesday, but we also celebrated my nephew's birthday as well. Lucas and I have become extremely close within his 4 years of life. He has changed my heart and gives me a new perspective on life each day. My prayer for this little man in my life is that he will grow up to be like David, and God will say of him, "this is a man after my own heart."

I have pictures from our little gathering this week.

Lucas getting ready to blow out his birthday candles.

McKenzie was excited about getting a piece of cake AND ice cream.

Brandon and I got Lucas a chain saw and goggles so that he can help Papa work outside.


Then McKenzie wanted a turn to try it out.

Lucas loving on Natasha.

He loves his tractors from McKenzie and Natasha.

This is us...minus Natasha who is taking the picture and Lucas...we couldn't pull him away from his cake to get in the picture with us. McKenzie is the one who wanted to take a picture with "evweebody". She even told us where to sit. You can see the excitement in her face....

We had a good time celebrating the birthdays and spending time with our families.

Best Friend. Soul Mate. My Little Boy. Daddy. Big Brother. Hero. Punkin' Head. - One Man - So Many Titles.

Unsure what to title this blog.
Really, I'm unsure what to even say.

Today, September 21, 2009, is three years since my family had to say goodbye to my dad's "Best Friend", my mom's "Little Boy", my sister-in-law's "Soul Mate", my niece's "Daddy", my sister's "Big Brother", and my "Hero", my closest friend, David.
I cannot, nor will I attempt to tell you all that this man meant to those around him. He touched more lives within his 27 years of life than many people touch within their lifetime.
When someone passes away, it will be said that "the world is a little less ____________", however on this day three years ago, this world became a lot less happier, a lot less exciting, a lot less fun.
McKenzie Faith, my brother's and sister-in-law, Natasha's little girl was given one month to meet, fall in love, and capture her father's heart, however, within a few moments of life she had already accomplished those things and had the remainder of that time to allow David & Natasha to be Mom and Dad and the three of them to be a family.
I do not claim to understand the purpose in losing my brother, but I will celebrate in knowing that the Creator of Life is All Knowing.
For McKenzie, who is growing into a beautiful little girl, resembles her daddy in many more ways than one. She, will be David's legacy, a legacy that will continue to teach, continue to inspire, and will continue to love.

God,
I know that when my heart hurts, Yours' does too. I know that You love me and I hear Your daily whispers that remind me of Your faithfulness. Thank You Jesus, for allowing our family to be David's family. Thank you for allowing me to call him Big Brother, for all the memories that make me smile and for all of McKenzie's gestures that remind us she is his. Lord, I lift up Natasha, one who lost her spouse of four years. Lord, You understand our saddness and our grief. Strengthen our hearts, oh Lord.
May we find in You the strength to celebrate David's life and the life that he now lives in Glory. Remind us King Jesus that although that the days that David has been gone has turned to years, he would say he has been in Your Courts for a day.
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When peace, like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Fair Days!

The Macon County Fair is going on this week. It began Wednesday and runs through Sunday. I was excited to take Lucas to the fair. We had a great time. He was EXTREMELY excited about EVERYTHING. We have to see everything, pet everything, sit on every tractor, get a piece of candy from every booth, and top it off with ice cream. We had a wonderful time.
Enjoy the pictures.
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I had to do some convincing to get this picture. There were too many things to take in than to sit still for a picture.

My farmer. He asked me if there was any work that he needed to do while he was there. He had his work boots on, you know? He kept reminding me.

We got to visit Gabe and Daniel Pickens' lambs. Gabe let us pet Snickers. Gabe was working hard raking the hay on the ground. He was doing a great job, but Lucas wanted to rake too, instead we kept petting the lambs.

I was too afraid to walk up to a cow and let Lucas pet it. Thankfully, Tony volunteered to take him. I was very grateful. Tony even got Lucas to look at me for a picture!

Mamaw came to join in the fun.

Then, we found McKenzie there. Lucas was WAY excited to see her.

Aunt Tasha took them to see the rabbits.

Right before we left, McKenzie and Lucas got ice cream. It was a great way to end the night.

My prayer for the two of these special children is that they will grow up to me a man and woman after God's own heart. Me and Jesus talk often about these two, and I know He is going to great things in and through them. He already is!

Pity Party....

For some reason I have been in this pity party mood. I'm such a baby. I don't know if it is because I have been saturated in WCU assignments, Cartoogechaye lesson plans, trying to spend a moment or even two with Brandon, but today is just one of those days.
One of those days...I've worried more about what job I will have when I graduate.
One of those days...I have felt more overwhelmed than usual.
One of those days...I feel as though I don't have a friend in the world.

One of those days...you know...just one of those days.

A Day With My Brandon

Today, Brandon and I were given a special gift from Jesus. A whole day with each other!!!! I was excited all weekend - looking forward to today, knowing I would be spending it with Brandon.
We got up the morning and went to Pigeon Forge. The drive over the Smokies was just as beautiful as it always is and there were a few hints in the leaves that Fall was on its way.

Although I was excied about our day trip, everyone else in Tennessee must have been excited about their trip too. :) It took us about an hour to get from one end of Pigeon Forge to the other because of the amount of traffic. But once we got to the outlets, we were good to go - good to go SHOPPING! The purpose of this trip was to not only spend it together, but I was in desperate need for "Teacher Clothes" as well as "Theatre Clothes" as well as "Any Kind of Clothes".

Brandon was a great sport in following me around and waiting on me to come out of dressing rooms. He was a trooper. After shopping, we stopped to eat dinner and then headed back home. It was nice coming back over the Smokies with the sun soon to set. Our God is an amazing God. His authority and power can be recognized in and through all that surrounds us.

This is the first blog that I have posted pictures. This is for two reasons:
1) I just learned how to post pictures (thank you Sarah)
2) I feel sorta stupid for taking and posting pictures of only Brandon and myself, but until we have children....we are all I have to blog about.