Tuesday, April 21st
Hey guys,
So, today was a glorious day. It was sunny and warm, flowers blooming everywhere, and it was a great reminder that summer IS right around the corner. I got to enjoy playing outside with Alora instead of being cooped up inside, and I think it was just what we both needed.
<3 Always,
Rose
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Day 329-My year
Monday, April 20th
Hey guys,
So, this week is going to be CRAZY busy, and much more busy than normal, but this week also marks year anniversary of when we first came down to look at houses. As I go into this insane week, what a great reminder it is to look back at this past year and see just how many times God has provided for us, over and over again. I know that no matter HOW stressful or busy, or frustrating, or scary life can be, God is already there, and carrying us all through it.
<3 Always,
Rose
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Day 328-Marina
Sunday, April 19th
Hey guys,
I've got to be honest, this is probably going to be one of my more emotional posts, so get ready. In my life, for as long as I can remember, Marina has been there. Marina wasn't just a family friend, she wasn't just Graham's friend, she wasn't even just MY friend, she is like my 2nd older sister. Our families grew up spending time together, they lived just 3 blocks away, and had 2 girls, the same ages as Graham and Caroline. We spent every Christmas and New Years Eve together, we've had countless barbecues and birthday parties, we've had camping trips and sleep overs, we've played HUNDREDS of games of Spaceopoly, we've had secrets and stories, we've had countless home video footage, and above all, we've just had each other. When we were little, it was always Caroline and Marina's older sister Adrianna, and then Graham and Marina, and I would just sort of tag along behind them, but as we got older, Marina and I became closer. When she left for college, none of us had any idea what was in store for us in the next few months, we only knew that we wouldn't live 3 blocks away from each other anymore, and that was emotional enough! When Graham was in the hospital, we all gathered around his bed, but there was a hole that could only be filled by Marina. Because Marina was already having a hard time in her freshman year, Aunt Gina decided that it would be better to fly down there and tell her in person what was going on, and bring her back for the funeral. Because of this, literally the first time I saw Marina in 6 months was at the funeral, when we saw each other, we both just broke down and ran towards each other. As we sat there crying, it dawned on me, Caroline and I were NOT the only sisters that Graham had had, and they were grieving their brother just as much as we were. As two years passed, we grew even closer, and savored every moment we had together.
Early this week, I got news that Marina, who is studying overseas in Ecuador not only is being treated for strep throat, but now she has mono as well. This week has been so hard, she has been constantly on my mind, and I wish more than anything that I could go see her and comfort her. I already was missing her tons, but this week has just put a new spin on things, it breaks my heart to know that she is really, REALLY struggling right now, and there's not much I can do other than pray. It's bad enough to have mono, but to have mono in a foreign country with 2 months left before coming home? I can't even imagine. With all the crap this girl has been through, it really doesn't seem fair, but that's life sometimes, unfortunately. It has been hard for me this week, because I have to just let go and trust that God will have his way in this crappy situation, I just have to pray. I would so appreciate your prayers for Marina, whether you know her or not, she needs it. Please pray for peace for not only her family, but also for our family as she is overseas, pray for wisdom for the doctors and nurses treating her, pray for comfort and peace for her, and above all, just pray for healing. Thanks so much!
<3 Always,
Rose
Hey guys,
I've got to be honest, this is probably going to be one of my more emotional posts, so get ready. In my life, for as long as I can remember, Marina has been there. Marina wasn't just a family friend, she wasn't just Graham's friend, she wasn't even just MY friend, she is like my 2nd older sister. Our families grew up spending time together, they lived just 3 blocks away, and had 2 girls, the same ages as Graham and Caroline. We spent every Christmas and New Years Eve together, we've had countless barbecues and birthday parties, we've had camping trips and sleep overs, we've played HUNDREDS of games of Spaceopoly, we've had secrets and stories, we've had countless home video footage, and above all, we've just had each other. When we were little, it was always Caroline and Marina's older sister Adrianna, and then Graham and Marina, and I would just sort of tag along behind them, but as we got older, Marina and I became closer. When she left for college, none of us had any idea what was in store for us in the next few months, we only knew that we wouldn't live 3 blocks away from each other anymore, and that was emotional enough! When Graham was in the hospital, we all gathered around his bed, but there was a hole that could only be filled by Marina. Because Marina was already having a hard time in her freshman year, Aunt Gina decided that it would be better to fly down there and tell her in person what was going on, and bring her back for the funeral. Because of this, literally the first time I saw Marina in 6 months was at the funeral, when we saw each other, we both just broke down and ran towards each other. As we sat there crying, it dawned on me, Caroline and I were NOT the only sisters that Graham had had, and they were grieving their brother just as much as we were. As two years passed, we grew even closer, and savored every moment we had together.
Early this week, I got news that Marina, who is studying overseas in Ecuador not only is being treated for strep throat, but now she has mono as well. This week has been so hard, she has been constantly on my mind, and I wish more than anything that I could go see her and comfort her. I already was missing her tons, but this week has just put a new spin on things, it breaks my heart to know that she is really, REALLY struggling right now, and there's not much I can do other than pray. It's bad enough to have mono, but to have mono in a foreign country with 2 months left before coming home? I can't even imagine. With all the crap this girl has been through, it really doesn't seem fair, but that's life sometimes, unfortunately. It has been hard for me this week, because I have to just let go and trust that God will have his way in this crappy situation, I just have to pray. I would so appreciate your prayers for Marina, whether you know her or not, she needs it. Please pray for peace for not only her family, but also for our family as she is overseas, pray for wisdom for the doctors and nurses treating her, pray for comfort and peace for her, and above all, just pray for healing. Thanks so much!
<3 Always,
Rose
Day 327-No Boys!
Saturday, April 18th
Hey guys,
So, this weekend Shane had a soccer tournament in Greensboro, ALL weekend, so the 3 boys and Dad were gone from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. It was so nice to have peace and quiet, to have a CALM couple of days, and above all, to have time for just us girls. With a family as big as mine, you've gotta be loud to be heard, either that, or you'll just kind of fade into the background, so it was SO nice for me to have a time with JUST Mom. She and I could actually talk without being interrupted by small children, or dogs, or Dads, or sports events, or whatever, her attention was on me, and mine was on her!
<3 Always,
Rose
Hey guys,
So, this weekend Shane had a soccer tournament in Greensboro, ALL weekend, so the 3 boys and Dad were gone from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. It was so nice to have peace and quiet, to have a CALM couple of days, and above all, to have time for just us girls. With a family as big as mine, you've gotta be loud to be heard, either that, or you'll just kind of fade into the background, so it was SO nice for me to have a time with JUST Mom. She and I could actually talk without being interrupted by small children, or dogs, or Dads, or sports events, or whatever, her attention was on me, and mine was on her!
<3 Always,
Rose
Day 326-1947 Dance
Friday, April 17th
Hey guys,
So, when you see an old picture of people enjoying coca cola with the old fashioned bottle, you are able to get a glimpse into what our grandparents and maybe even parents experienced growing up. For one girl in our youth group, she looked at this picture and saw SO much more, and she turned it into a reality. For months, we had heard about this "1947 Dance" and didn't really know what to think, or what it would be, because Jae, the mastermind behind it, was still formulating ideas. As the dance got closer, ideas started falling into place, and the night began to take shape, it would be a fundraiser for our missions trip this year, a night of swing dancing, hors d'oeuvre, and even a photo booth. At this point, I'm pretty sure ALL the girls got super excited, and wanted to do anything and everything to help this night happen, and we couldn't have done it without all of their willingness to help! As I walked into the fellowship hall this afternoon, with only hours before the dance, I was awestruck, there were fairy lights and flowers hanging from the ceiling, antique radios and other antique decorations, Coca Cola bottles(of course), and I just instantly thought, "Alright, when I get married, Jae is going to be my wedding planner!" But the shock wore off pretty quickly when I realized just how much still needed to be done in the next few hours. The next few hours of decorating and running around like chickens with our heads cut off really showed to me how much these students will and want to support their fellow students in every thing they do. Everyone was working quite literally until there were people standing at the door. All in all, tonight was a HIT! So many people came and enjoyed it, I've been hearing from people all weekend how much fun they had. In all honesty though, this night would have NEVER happened had it not been for Jae, and her interpretation of an antique photo of people enjoying a coca cola, so I want to say thanks. Thanks for putting this all together, for the many MANY hours you spent planning, decorating, and stressing I'm sure over this one night, thanks for taking things into your own hands when you had this idea! Also, I want to say, you did an AWESOME job tonight, the hours of preparation for this night really showed, and it was outstanding. You decorated, cooked, shopped, set up tables, set up the photo booth, gave us each specific jobs and responsibilities, advertised, organized, AND got all the high school students who came to help to dress up, which is pretty impressive, so seriously, a job WELL DONE tonight, I honestly am in AWE of how much you did and how well you did it tonight!
<3 Always,
Rose
Hey guys,
So, when you see an old picture of people enjoying coca cola with the old fashioned bottle, you are able to get a glimpse into what our grandparents and maybe even parents experienced growing up. For one girl in our youth group, she looked at this picture and saw SO much more, and she turned it into a reality. For months, we had heard about this "1947 Dance" and didn't really know what to think, or what it would be, because Jae, the mastermind behind it, was still formulating ideas. As the dance got closer, ideas started falling into place, and the night began to take shape, it would be a fundraiser for our missions trip this year, a night of swing dancing, hors d'oeuvre, and even a photo booth. At this point, I'm pretty sure ALL the girls got super excited, and wanted to do anything and everything to help this night happen, and we couldn't have done it without all of their willingness to help! As I walked into the fellowship hall this afternoon, with only hours before the dance, I was awestruck, there were fairy lights and flowers hanging from the ceiling, antique radios and other antique decorations, Coca Cola bottles(of course), and I just instantly thought, "Alright, when I get married, Jae is going to be my wedding planner!" But the shock wore off pretty quickly when I realized just how much still needed to be done in the next few hours. The next few hours of decorating and running around like chickens with our heads cut off really showed to me how much these students will and want to support their fellow students in every thing they do. Everyone was working quite literally until there were people standing at the door. All in all, tonight was a HIT! So many people came and enjoyed it, I've been hearing from people all weekend how much fun they had. In all honesty though, this night would have NEVER happened had it not been for Jae, and her interpretation of an antique photo of people enjoying a coca cola, so I want to say thanks. Thanks for putting this all together, for the many MANY hours you spent planning, decorating, and stressing I'm sure over this one night, thanks for taking things into your own hands when you had this idea! Also, I want to say, you did an AWESOME job tonight, the hours of preparation for this night really showed, and it was outstanding. You decorated, cooked, shopped, set up tables, set up the photo booth, gave us each specific jobs and responsibilities, advertised, organized, AND got all the high school students who came to help to dress up, which is pretty impressive, so seriously, a job WELL DONE tonight, I honestly am in AWE of how much you did and how well you did it tonight!
<3 Always,
Rose
Day 325- Bible Study
Thursday, April 16th
Hey guys,
For the past few months, Thursday's have been a day that I ALWAYS look forward to. Why? Because that's when our bible study meets. I have so enjoyed getting to know each of the girls on a much more personal level, and I love hearing about what's going on in their lives, how their week has been, etc. Today was the first bible study since I left for Chicago, so I was VERY excited to see my girls. Unfortunately, the praise band had rehearsals at the same time, so I only got to be there for half of it. For me, this is the first bible study that I have really and genuinely been a part of, and the past few months have been such a great reminder that bible studies ARE necessary, accountability groups ARE necessary, and community IS necessary! God did not make us to be alone, independent from other humans, no God made us to be a body that craves human interaction, for survival, for comfort, for wisdom, for basically everything, we NEED community!
<3 Always,
Rose
Hey guys,
For the past few months, Thursday's have been a day that I ALWAYS look forward to. Why? Because that's when our bible study meets. I have so enjoyed getting to know each of the girls on a much more personal level, and I love hearing about what's going on in their lives, how their week has been, etc. Today was the first bible study since I left for Chicago, so I was VERY excited to see my girls. Unfortunately, the praise band had rehearsals at the same time, so I only got to be there for half of it. For me, this is the first bible study that I have really and genuinely been a part of, and the past few months have been such a great reminder that bible studies ARE necessary, accountability groups ARE necessary, and community IS necessary! God did not make us to be alone, independent from other humans, no God made us to be a body that craves human interaction, for survival, for comfort, for wisdom, for basically everything, we NEED community!
<3 Always,
Rose
Day 324-OFF!
Wednesday, April 15th
Hey guys!
So, today Alora had a school field trip, and Mom had signed up to go a few weeks in advance, so I got to have the day off! After a crazy busy spring break, and then coming back and realizing that my college had a different spring break than I originally had thought, and I was a week behind in all my assignments, I was glad to have this day to try and catch up a little bit.
<3 Always,
Rose
Hey guys!
So, today Alora had a school field trip, and Mom had signed up to go a few weeks in advance, so I got to have the day off! After a crazy busy spring break, and then coming back and realizing that my college had a different spring break than I originally had thought, and I was a week behind in all my assignments, I was glad to have this day to try and catch up a little bit.
<3 Always,
Rose
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