janvier

The month of January has come and is almost gone. This month flew by! Wasn't it just Christmas yesterday? I've been busy working, going to class, and just other life things. As always, it's so much easier to capture life these days with the iPhone, so here are some photos from the month of January.

Spent some time babysitting this sweet boy and his little sister. Love love love Harris and MK!

I've been working there for two months, and I set a store record. This sort of made my day :)

This is also sort of made my day. It's not everyday Jon Acuff follows you on Twitter...and then I realized that he follows 57K people. Still pretty cool.

Want some good pizza? Go to Earth Fare. This was considered one slice, and it is SO good! (and better for you than some other places)

Some of my favorite Australian friends sent me a package! 

And back of the beginning of the month, we had a wonderful New Year's celebration at my house! 

If you've never watched Parenthood, do yourself a favor and hop on board. Seasons 1-3 are on Netflix and 4 is on Hulu. I don't know how I've been missing this great one for so long!

Happy Tuesday!

twenty one!

So, I had a birthday. I have to say I was quite excited about this one. Not because I was going to get wasted, but because saying you're 21 sounds a lot older and cooler than anything else before. This is pretty much the last "big" birthday before it gets depressing, so I was thrilled. And let me just say, it was a good one. I was SPOILED by sweet friends, my parents, and other family members. I've been 21 for over a week now, and I still have two more birthday lunches to do. I'm so grateful for the people God's put in my life; they are too good to me!

My two love languages are words of affirmation and gifts. So, getting these sweet texts/tweets/facebook posts from some of my favorite people was just wonderful. Especially the posts from my Aussie friends! 

texts from my four best friends and two other sweet girls!

I mean, really. Love those Aussies. And Drew and Taylor.

A few more Aussies, my parents, and my BFF's parents (basically my other set of parents).

The birthday celebrations started with dinner with my parents the night before. 

Hello, self timer. 

Favorite gift? Why, yes. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

On my actual birthday, I went to breakfast with some of the seniors before they headed to Passion. I also went to dinner with my friend Caroline. It was a wonderful day! 

The next day, Chelsea took me to get my nails done, and then her mom took us to lunch. Again, it was such a good time, and I felt loved!

Two days after my birthday, the five of us dressed up and went to dinner. I'm so thankful that these girls are still in my life, and I love them heaps!

love my BFF (and her awesome photo taking skills)

So glad she's back in the AUG and that she watches Downton Abbey with me!

Also, what's up with all of my hair in my neck/chest? I need a haircut. 

love. 

In case you didn't get the memo, this girl's getting married!

And so are Sarah and MB. haha

Do I not have the most gorgeous friends?

I mean, come on. B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.

21, you've been nothing short of fantastic so far! I cannot wait to see all the fun things that come with your year! 

Best of 2012

I found a "Best of 2012" post from this blog, and I really liked it. I thought it would be a fun way to recap 2012, so I tweaked it a little bit...

Best Recipe You Couldn't Not Make Again: Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Seriously one of the easiest yet greatest recipes I've ever found. It's perfect for parties, I absolutely love it, and everyone who has had it loves it too!

Source

Best Book You Couldn't Put Down: When God Writes Your Love Story
Chelsea suggested this book to me back in the spring, and it's pretty sad that I just finished it on Thursday. That being said, it really was a good read (even if it took me 9 months to finish it). It was convicting, encouraging, and inspiring. Even if you aren't in a relationship (like me), it's great to read for the future, for ways to practice being a good future spouse, and for ultimately glorifying the Lord no matter what your relationship status is.

Best Song You Couldn't Get Out Of Your Head: My Dear by Bethel Music

LOVE this song. I just absolutely adore it. Go listen to it once and then you'll be headed to iTunes to buy it. Seriously. One of my all time favorites.

Best Moment: Saying Goodbye In Australia

Okay, I know that sounds pretty ironic, and honestly, I thought the same when I decided to put that one down. But, the more I thought about it, I knew that was it. Throughout the entire summer, I really struggled with getting up in front of people and speaking. It was one of my hardest challenges, but by the time I said goodbye at the church in Australia, I was the one asking to stand up in front of everyone to give my goodbyes. No one was telling me to do so; I was wanting to do so. To me, this was just a small example of how the Lord had changed me during my time there. While it was one of the HARDEST things I've ever done, it was one of the best because I could see what the Lord had done in and through me and I could give HIM all the glory! Miss those people so much.

Best Hard But Good: Quitting My Job

Quitting my job as the High School Ministry Intern at WBC was definitely one of the hardest things I've ever done. I loved every aspect of that job, every single thing I learned, and every single memory I made. It was so hard to say goodbye to that comfort zone, but the Lord blessed me so by doing it, and if given the opportunity, I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Best TV Show: Duck Dynasty and Downton Abbey

If you haven't watched either of these, you're missing out. 

Duck Dynasty=hilarious. I mean, one of the funniest shows in the history of television AND they are Christians. Like legit Christians. It doesn't get much better than that!

Downton Abbey=phenomenal. It is such a good show, I don't even know how to fully explain its greatness. Season 3 premieres in the US on Sunday and I'm THRILLED!

Best Gift Given: Casie's Birthday Present

I have to say, I love giving gifts. It's definitely my love language, and I love to give something to someone that I know they will absolutely love. For the past couple of years, Drew and I have been going in together for Casie's birthday so that we could get her something a little more special. This year, we wanted to do something different than the massages, tennis shoes, etc that we typically get her. So, we came up with a certain number of reasons why she is a great person (the same number as the age she was turning), and we put them together in a mason jar. It was so fun to do and give, and I know Casie loved it!

Best Gift Received: Australian Coffee Cup

There is a famous Australian potter named Robert Gordon who makes dinnerware there. The people I did a Bible Study with all summer gave me this adorable coffee mug, which has a peach on it. I love it because it reminds me of Australia, but it also has the peach, which reminds me of my home, the wonderful peach state! 

Best Craft Made: Burlap Banners

I enjoyed making my burlap banners for fall and Christmas. They were so easy to make, and I know I'll be making more soon!

Best Trip/Adventure: Australia

Hands down, one of the best things I've ever done in my entire life. I loved every moment of that trip, and I cannot wait to go back one day!!!

Best Newly Discovered Artist: The Lumineers

I love The Lumineers, and I love how well known they are now. They are SUCH a good band!

Best Lesson Learned: Giving Up Something Good For Something Better

Sometimes, the Lord calls us to give up something that isn't bad at all. He calls us to get out of our comfort zones, to give up those things that are familiar to us, those things that are GOOD, because He has something so much greater in store. Even when it's difficult to say goodbye or do what it is He's called you to, do it because HE'S the one who knows what the future is. He's already got it mapped out, and He knows that it's going to be good!

Best Verse: Deuteronomy 31:8

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." 

While every single verse in the Bible has just the same importance as another, this is the verse that meant a lot to me over 2012. This verse gave me peace when I didn't know what I was doing next but I knew He'd called me to go to Australia. This verse gave me comfort when I was in Australia, and I was scared to death because I didn't know anyone or even why I was there. And this verse gave me just what I needed when I left the beautiful country of Australia and came back to Augusta, not knowing what to expect. The Lord hasn't forsaken me, and He's going to take me through 2013 just like He did in 2012.