Week of Thanksgiving

I went to camp last weekend to work another retreat. I originally wasn't planning on going, but I knew I didn't have to work at home, and I knew I wouldn't be back at camp until January or maybe February so I decided to make the most of this opportunity. I headed up a little early to have lunch with some sweet women there, and then I headed off to spend time with the Dukes!

Matt (their dad) was out of town this weekend, so I took the kiddos some to give Katie (their mom) time with the newest Duke, baby Levi. It wasn't too cold on Friday, so we spent some time riding bikes, visiting those in the office, and walking around camp. 

On Saturday, we walked around camp some more, played on the playground, and then hopped on a hayride. These kiddos had so much fun, and I'm grateful for the time I got with these sweet babies. Camp will not be the same without them!

Beautiful in every season. 

On Tuesday, my Bible study group came over, and we had a Thanksgiving dinner. I, with the help of my friend Kaila, made this 20 pound turkey for all of us to eat. I feel like I can now do anything. #SUCCESS

Andddd the Christmas tree is up! I'm ready for the most wonderful time of the year (almost)!!

recent favs

weagle, weagle...

My dad went to Auburn for his undergrad and grad degrees, and it is no secret that we are an Auburn family! I've grown up saying, "War Eagle", and I love to go to the prettiest village on the plains whenever I have a chance. While I agree that the Iron Bowl, where Auburn and Alabama play each other, is an incredible rivalry, the Auburn-Georgia game is just as big to me. I think it has to do with the fact that I live in Georgia, and I'm surrounded by so many Georgia fans. So, when Auburn beat Georgia on Saturday in a "miracle catch", I was beyond thrilled. Didn't see it? Just check out some of the clips below...



This radio call might just be my favorite...


Way to go, Gus Malzahn, on turning this team around. Here's to beating Bama next week!

beyond measure

It's no secret that I absolutely love camp. I adore every minute that I get to spend in those beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. I have just fallen in love with that beautiful place. However, as beautiful as camp is, that is not the reason why I love camp so much. I love camp so much because of the extraordinary way God works there through the ordinary people He has in place there.

I've honestly been looking forward to being at camp for the past two or so weeks. Even though I've seen and talked to some of my favorite people from camp, I just wanted to be there with them. Even if it meant working one looooooooooong retreat. I drove to Greenville on Friday and met up with my friend Emma Kate. We then headed to camp, where it was freezing, and I got to see lots of wonderful staff from this summer! And on Saturday morning, it just got so much better...

...I got to meet the newest member of the Duke family, sweet Levi Jude! I love the Dukes, and they are in their last couple months at camp. I'm going to miss them lots as they head off to Maggie Valley, so I'm extra grateful for this time I got to spend with them!

How SWEET is this picture of big brother Elliott with Levi?!

Of course, no visit is complete without time making this girl smile and laugh. 

Favorite quotes of the weekend from Anna: "Mom, can Ashton and Emma Kate come pick me up for dinner?" and after dinner, she's chewing something, so when I ask her what she's eating, she says, "I found a little piece of chicken stuck in my mouth so I had to finish it!"

Gosh, I just LOVE her. 

Like I said, camp is an absolutely beautiful place. I've been there in the spring, summer, and winter, but this was my first fall experience at camp. Lots of the leaves had fallen, but there were still a few trees that were just screaming for their picture to be taken. Gorgeous!

It was Abby's birthday on Sunday, so we all got the chance to sing to her, eat some brownies with her, and celebrate sweet Abby! She was my supervisor and mentor this summer, and this woman is full of wisdom and grace! I so enjoyed getting to be with her. 

And to top off my wonderful weekend, I got to have dinner with this girl on my way home on Sunday (photo taken this summer). One of the staffers that was at camp this weekend had been in Clemson earlier last week and got to see Mary Leslie, so I decided to text her and see if we could meet up. It worked out well, and it was just such an encouragement to be with her. 

This past weekend, I felt so blessed. I kept thinking that if I'd stayed at camp two summers ago and hadn't broken my ankle, that I wouldn't have met some of the people who made this summer so special and who still bless me every single day. God has really blessed me beyond measure, and I'm so incredibly grateful for this season of my life. 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21