Worship While I'm Waiting

One of the many reasons as to why I love to blog so much is because it forces me think of where Brandon and I have been, where we are going, and where we are right now. There are a lot of things I could write about in a post, but today, on this rainy, dreary day, I can't help but to think that I am just....waiting.

Where have Brandon and I been lately? Well, literally, we have been to Destin, FL where we enjoyed a time of rejuvenation and rest. However, figuratively speaking, we have been in an extremely busy season of our lives. For now, things have seemed to calm down, a very little, but somewhat noticeable.

Where are we going? Like everyone else, we will soon be preparing for the Holidays, however, at times it feels as though Brandon is always on the go during this time. I must admit though, I love this time of year. I enjoy the Christmas programs, the excitement on children's faces ( oh, who am I kidding? The excitement that wells up within me! ), the visits and celebrations with family and dear friends...all of it. I love the holidays.

Where are we now? I have been thinking about this question all day. Where are we? I'm not really sure. We are 7 weeks away from the end of this semester (yes, I do say "we". Brandon should walk across the stage with me so that "we" can get our degree in Elementary Education). Right now, it really seems as though we are waiting. We are waiting for me to begin student teaching in January so that I can graduate in May. We are certainly waiting on graduation so that I can get a job. We will then be waiting on a job. Although there will be a sense of "waiting' as it comes time for a full time job, I must note that I am thankful. Thankful that God has once again provided in a way that I could not. Regardless to whether or not I get a teaching position, I am thankful for the job I currently have. The worst part is the "wait" of knowing what my full time job will be. With all this said, I do feel as though it is safe to say that we are in a time of waiting.

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait in expectation.

~Psalm 5:3

Our Vacation, Destin, FL 2009

Brandon and I were fortunate enough to take a vacation this month. We have been counting down the days to go back since we returned from Destin last year. (Not really, but sorta really) We left on Tuesday morning, October 6th and came back on Monday, October 12th. We had a great time.

Really, we didn't do anything all that extravagant, we would get up, go out on the beach, take a walk, take a nap, read a book, swim, sit in the sun, go to the pool, come back and read, swim again, pack up, take a shower, go out to dinner, come back to the condo, and begin all over again the next day. IT WAS WONDERFUL!
I am thankful that through this time we were able to rejuvenate our hearts, minds, and bodies. Just as everyone else, we get caught up in all that is going on around us, that it is difficult to keep a positive attitude and perspective on current circumstances that surround us; whether it be our own or those around us. Therefore, this vacation truly enabled us to spend time together as husband and wife. It was a special week and we are oh so thankful to God for providing a way for us to go.

For now, it's back to the books, there is an end to the semester in sight....7 weeks to be exact!

Enjoy a few pictures.

Sandy took most of the pictures of Brandon and I together. Brandon is always a good sport in letting me have our White Shirt Beach Pictures.

Brandon and I got up one morning at 6:30am so that we (really, I mean "I") could get pictures as the sun came up. Brandon was super sweet by getting up with me so that he could go too. The rest of the pictures are ones I took that morning.

This picture just came out this way. I didn't do anything with my camera to make it black and white, it just turned out this way. I thought it was neat.

There was a lady out on the beach this morning and asked if she could take our picture. It was fun. She is a photography student in Alabama and she had us posing all kinds of pictures. I loved it. I especially love that in this picture, you can't see that I have my pink heart pajama bottoms on. The rest of the pictures are ones I took myself as the sun came up. It was a beautiful morning.

It is said sometimes, "When you are in the mountains, you can't help put realize God's amazing creation", but I have learned that regardless to where I am, I cannot escape the work of an Amazing God.

Watch this video and revel in God's creation and goodness. His creation really does reveal His Majesty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmTxZAl7ceU

Destin, Oh how I've Missed You.....

Vacation could not have come at a better time. I'm so excited to be at the beach. I pray that this will be a time that the Lord rejuvenates our hearts and rests our minds and bodies as we enjoy this break in life and enjoy the company...each other.

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!