Neti Pot Reunion

Remember this post?

Well, ol' Neti's been keeping me company the past few days. I like to think of it as a reunion of sorts, however unwanted it may be.

Dear Neti,

It's been great having you back. Nothing bonds friends quicker than time spent in my nostrils. While I've enjoyed your stay, I must say that I'm anxious to see you go. My whole family comes today and I need to make room in my life (and morning schedule) to spend time with them. So, do your thing, girl, and get on outta here.

Affectionately,

Brittany

Tomorrow!

My family comes tomorrow!! My family comes tomorrow!!

Annie says it best:

Tomorrow, tomorrow! I love ya, tomorrow! You're only a daaaaaaay aaaaaawaaaaaay!

Happy birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad’s birthday. For those of you who know my dad, you know he’s a hoot. And for those of you who don’t know my dad, but know me…well, I’m a lot like him. This post is in honor of my dad.

Dear Dad,

As I think back on my earlier years, a few memories stick out more than others. The other day, I found myself telling the story of you wearing our bright orange nail polish to dinner in order to prove a point. Your threat of wearing that nail polish until we took ours off was enough to make us grab a cotton ball and run to the nearest bottle of acetone.

I also remember the time you took me out on a daddy/daughter date and told me I could pick whatever song I wanted from the jukebox. I chose the song, “Dizzy,” and as I sat down to enjoy my music choice, the guys in the booth behind us started to chuckle and make fun of my song choice. You immediately turned around and asked them if they had a problem with the song your daughter chose. I knew then that you’d always have my back, no matter how silly the situation might be.

One of my more recent memories involves you walking me down the aisle to “How Beautiful” as you gave me away to marry Jon. This memory is so representative of the way you have fathered me in my 26 years of life. There has never been a moment that you have casually led me into a situation. You have prayerfully and thoughtfully guided our family through good and hard times, and this situation was no different. You gave me to Jon, confident that he would continue the prayerful leadership you had begun.

Growing up, I’ve always attributed my tender heart to Granny and my stubbornness to you (and your dad!). But now that I am older, I see that I also get my tender heart from you. God has granted you a tender heart where it counts and stubbornness to see that tenderness through. Thank you for setting that example for me. Your dad would be so proud.

Happy birthday, dad! I love you!

To Maine, D.C., Texas, and back!

It's been awhile! As you read in my last post, I was quite the traveller this past month. Jon and I took a {belated} anniversary to Camden, Maine mid-October and it. was. amazing. For those of you who don't have a husband in seminary (which makes most of you!), let me tell you that time alone with your husband sans books is DREAMY. We had a lovely day driving to Maine, looking in shops, eating Lobster, and drinking mulled cider. Oh, and the leaves. The northeast knows how to do fall FOR SURE. Here are some shots from our weekend getaway:

We came back on Sunday and I headed to Washington, D.C. for a conference with work. It was a quick trip. I literally went from our house to the airport, from the airport to the hotel, from the hotel to the airport, from the airport back home. Needless to say, I have no pictures to share!

Then, a mere 3 days later, I headed to TEXAS!! Oh, it was wonderful! Our Admissions' Department sent me to the Go! Missions Conference in College Station (with Breakaway Ministries). I headed out over the weekend so I could spend some time with the family before my time in CS.

Throughout my time in Texas, I felt the Lord's kindness and grace in giving me time there. First of all, my grandmother had fallen the weekend prior and broken her ankle. I was able to spend some much-needed time with her and was able to help {a little bit} with taking care of her. It was also a little rough emotionally. I think one of the hardest parts of living so far away from family is not getting to a part of the everyday things, especially when those everyday things involve ministering to your family in hard times. But God was so gracious to give me that small bit of time...it was good for my soul.

Second, I got to hear, in person, that my sister is expecting a baby GIRL!! We are tickled pink! (I couldn't resist!) I was definitely sad to not be there {in person} when Aimee announced her pregnancy, so it meant so much for me to be there when she announced what they are having. I just can't wait to see what a little girl Keiffer will look and act like!

Third, my dad drove me to Houston. We had 3 hours of good conversation on the way there. It made me so grateful to have a dad that loves the Lord and his family well. He and my mom grow in their generosity every time I see them. It manifests itself in multiple ways, but I'm seeing more and more how generous they are with their time and encouragement. I definitely learn a lot from that.

Finally, I got to see dear friends in College Station. One of the girls on our Greece team hosted a little party for me at her house. We ended up having our whole team together again, plus other dear friends. We even skyped Jon! It was so wonderful and refreshing. Here's our lovely team:

Aren't they the cutest?!

I also got to spend some great one-on-one time with dear friends while I was there, which I definitely needed. God always knows what we need and when we need it the most. My heart was so full when I left that I cried at God's kindness towards me. It was so apparent to me how deeply he cares for me and delights in giving his children good things. I am so grateful!

Go! Missions was a success! It was so fun getting to talk about Gordon-Conwell to students considering seminary. Since we are pretty far north, most of them hadn't heard of us. It was so great to be the first to introduce them to the seminary and share how the Lord carried Jon and I through that change (being Texans ourselves). Again, I was reminded of the Lord's faithfulness to us in really allowing this season of change to be a sweet one. There have definitely been difficult times and lots of adjusting, but God's grace is sustaining us day-by-day.

Well, now that your eyes are bleeding from staring at the screen for so long (if you're even still here), I'll call it a day! Thanks for sharing in our travels!