grace.

Grace. It's what has been poured out on me lately and what I'm asking from you because it's been so long since my last post! Friends, a season of life just came and went! Sorry its day-to-day joys and defeats weren't logged or blogged! But let's just say since God is God I was provided for in countless ways, disciplined to grow and seek Him more, and rooted even more deeply into my new community.

I so loved this family I nannyed for! They were so good to me and it was a privilege to be invited into their lives. I'd sum up what I've learned with the words sacrifice, service, and grace. Let's be real-- it's hard to love others more than yourself. Taking care of a child is one of the easiest ways to learn your own selfishness. I am so thankful that God would use a situation like this to teach me about His gospel, though. How much GRACE He gives us when we disregard and live apart from His costly love for us.  I learned in practice that the Gospel (see video!) is really the only vehicle and motivation to love and serve others with a glad and true heart. Only so long can you love in your own strength. By his strength, we are given the ability to partner with Him in His own love toward His people.

Anyways, here is my sweet girl...and no, this was not an on-the-clock photo. I wish she wouldn't have to remember me as the girl who rolled out of bed each day and went upstairs. (Only kidding...that's not how it always was :) )

I just started my new full time job at my church! For the purpose of general info--I am working with two leaders of two ministries by being an administrative assistant. I love it so far-- to-do lists, tasks, and all! I also don't mind that I have amazing co-workers and a job that allows me to meet new people with unique life stories every day! I love ministry already, but now I get to see and do the behind-the-scenes work. I'm experiencing self-discovery in this environment and looking forward to how God will continue to guide me and unfold his plans.

So, enough with the common knowledge. Here's a fun glimpse into every day life:

-sweet & spontaneous hangouts with new friends! There's always something fun going on in DC you know...

-The one lane bridge that I travel on each day to work. It reminds me to slow down a little bit in such a fast-paced city :) )

-my dear friend, Alexa. Her pretty face has been featured on the blog before, but now she is my housemate! I have a gracious and beautiful space in her parents' home with her until March! I am SO thankful! Although I have moved three times since May, God graciously provides and will continue to do so in the future.

-Time spent with my middle school girls! LOVE getting to know them and having the privilege of teaching them God's Word!

-Thanks to friends and family who have showered me with lots of love on my new desk! (Still on the learning/adjusting curve. More simplification and organization to come.)

Oh, I know I already told you, butttt THIS cutie was born!

I am an aunt!! Congrats to my bro & sis in law! Alexander Lee is still doing well and I can't wait til they'll be here at Christmas! Much anticipation til that day--he just looks like such a snuggler! So we'll get along great :)

Inevitably with all of these oh so joyous life experiences come challenges. Moving somewhere new and transitioning to a full-time job has quite quickly scooted me into society's standard of adulthood. It can be frustrating and humbling to question how much I actually know about the real world. BUT, there is glorious truth in Jeremiah 29:11 about trusting God when stepping out in faith. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." I know this verse is heavily quoted, but that doesn't mean its message is any less true.

Until next time!

Transition season!

Three weeks later, we meet again! (Oops.) Where to begin highlighting the craziness I've been up to? I believe life must be processed before blogged, so that's the excuse for my absence. I don't think I've actually fully processed but another post is way past overdue!

Nannying is great! Obviously nothing is perfect nor am I, but I think I am adjusting to this transition as well as possible! I work about 40 hours a week and enjoy the family I work for (and live with!) I love living in the DMV, specifically in Vienna. Anything I could ever need or want is at my fingertips!...Okay, that's a very absolute statement. I've noticed I use a lot of dramatic language. Anyway, there's a lot more to see and do here than I am used to! I can't wait to discover it all whether I am surrounded by new friends at a funky lunch place or wandering fall Farmer's Markets by myself.

God is teaching me SO much in this season of life aka Transition. And it's only been a month, so I know I have much more to experience. It was an initial shock to go from seeing lots of peers, friends, and roommates each day to only seeing who is in the house. I guess I'm more of an extrovert than I imagined. The night after my first day of work, I was so pumped to go to Trader Joe's just to be around people (and get dark chocolate covered pretzels...)! Of course I miss JMU, but I honestly think I've been too busy to be sad. I am amazed at how He has provided a church family for me and given me new friends to live life with. Hooray for God's sovereignty and healthy distractions!

Other than meeting new friends, getting plugged into church, and loving on my middle school girls, something else is new as of September 5, 2012...

My precious nephew Alexander Lee Custer is here!!! Praise the Lord that he was delivered as healthy and absolutely adorable. ;) Since I can't get to Oklahoma at the moment, I'll have to hold out for a few months to meet him and love on him! Congrats to Clint & Kristin!

Clint is a dad! (with Star Wars t-shirt and all)

Seriously?

Alex and Ike can't wait to grow up together!

Lots going on means lots of prayer needed! Pray for my sister-in-law and brother as they raise their new little guy. And if you'd like to pray for me, pray that I will be working and serving this family like I am working for the Lord. (Colossians 3:23-24) These verses say to work heartily at whatever you do as if you were working for Christ. I want to love and serve this family because it honors the Lord, not just because it's my temporary job. Prayers that I would understand how much Jesus loves me so that I might live it out every day!!

Other things: new job/housing to be found within the next month, new friendships around here, and my ministry with the middle school girls to be filled with fruit of the Spirit! Pray for these sweet girls to encounter God!

Now that we are caught up, I can go back to randomly blogging about my latest baking adventures, fun times with new friends, and spontaneous thoughts on life. I am thankful that God is faithful in bringing me to this area and to this church. Grace and peace!

P.S. After years of enjoying this song, experiencing its emotion, delighting in its piano... I decided today that it's my favorite. (Non-hymn, at least) I consistently love it. And I hope you do too!

Every time we say goodbye...

Oh, these past few days included far too many goodbyes. But if the summer has to end I'm glad it ended this way.

To start off, I just love the beach. I love the ocean. I love the sand. I love the swimming in the ocean for hours then laying out on the sand until I can go back and swim some more in the ocean. I am SO thankful that we did our end of the summer retreat in Ocean City from last Wednesday to Friday! Life is relaxed and laughter comes easy with some sand in between my toes :)

Dolphin at sunrise! 

Aw yeah.

This week has also been fantastic because it's birthday weeeeek! (I love birthdays!) Before Lindsay left for family vacay, she threw me a little get together at her house. SO SWEET! I am so thankful for friends that have become so special even in such a small amount of time!

Drink station! Thanks, Alexa! 

A little chalkboard with sweet notes for me!

Pretty drinking glasses

Flowers and muscato from Lindsay!

Sweet Devan made me a birthday cake! Every bit of it was absolutely de.lish.us. Here's the recipe: Smitten Kitchen Espresso Chiffon Cake w/ Fudge Frosting What a cake. That girl is ambitious and I felt so loved!

Jen has also been so thoughtful this week! She had never had Indian food before, so she treated me to dinner at Haandi! (Visit #2) We also had some great coffee dates. I will miss this sweet girl! (But I am so excited she is going to JMUUUU!)

So long, sweet summer.

Oh yeah, we took a VIP tour of Congress today...! 

Alas, what's next for me? As I confirmed last post, I will be staying in this area into the fall! Woohoo! I'm nannying for the next few months for a wonderful family in the church and living in Vienna with them. During that time, I'll be looking for jobs and housing for November. I will also be helping out as much as I can with the youth ministry (specifically middle school girls) at Fourth! I am sooooo excited! I would love your prayers as I figure out and pray the desires of my heart. More detailed prayer request post soon. I'm going home to Roanoke for a few days for my birthday, moving to Vienna Sunday, and starting to nanny on Monday. :)

I'll end for now with this hymn, as I want it to be my prayer! Until next time :-)

Jesus cast a look on me
Give me sweet simplicity
Make me poor and keep me low
Seeking only Thee to know
All that feeds my busy pride,
Cast it evermore aside
Bid my will to Thine submit,
Lay me humbly at Thy feet.

Two weeks in pictures!

It's been SO long! I've been wary of this blog post because I know there is quite a bit to update everyone on! So, to make things easier for both you and I, I will enlist some photos to help me share the story!

So about two weeks ago I had a wonderful Saturday brunch and baking date with my new friend Lauren! She's a Californian cupcake pro. It's been so fun for me to get to know her this summer while seeing her acquaint with the DC area, let alone the East Coast! Here are some of our creations (that were absolutely delectable, if I do say so myself!)

chocolate espresso. believe it. SO GOOD.

Madagascar vanilla bean cupcake + coffee. Mmm...my favorite! 

Finished products headed to friends--chocolate espresso, vanilla bean, chocolate, and chocolate peanut butter! I can't believe I created these!...and can't wait to make more.

For most of the summer I've also been volunteering with the middle school ministry at church. Since I used to say I "wasn't fit" for middle schoolers, this makes me laugh. My heart has opened (not because of anything I've done) and I absolutely love hanging with these sweet girls! In addition to being at church, there are well-planned events and activities each week for the kids. This morning we biked 3 miles to a cove on the Canal, canoed for a bit, ate lunch, and biked back to church. Last Friday, we went to the Zoo for a scavenger hunt. One word- lions! Bucket list item. I still need to see one with a full mane, though.

College ministry update!! We had our Christmas in July party last week after Bible studies and the Coffee House last night. This past week, actually, was our last Bible study for the summer. (Next Wednesday we'll be on staff retreat...Summer has flown by!) I'm speechless at what this means. I really can't believe my time on summer staff is almost over.

Christmas in July celebration! Complete with music, cookie decorating, and a very entertaining game of White Elephant

Stacey and Amanda, looking quite festive :)

So much staff love in this picture! 

Love this girl. 

Can't forget our beach day to Rehoboth! Worth the 3 hours, even though the undertow minimized our swimming.

And in other BIG news...Meredith and Matthew are engaged!!! I can't believe it--my best friend is getting MARRIED. Back in the spring, the three of us had chatted about making the trip to a Braves game this summer. When I got the job at 4th, I told them I couldn't go to the game anymore--too much driving for not a lot of time off. But when Matthew texted me earlier this summer in hopes of persuading me to come along on the supposed engagement weekend, I couldn't say no. I'm thankful I was able to get off work and see the surprise unfold. It was a great weekend--quick reunions with the family, road trip to Atlanta, Braves game, overnight at Snowbird, good catchup with Taylor at camp, road trip back, and of course the beautiful evening proposal :) 

Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters. Mmm, rare views can beat this one.

Sunday morning in the Metal Building!  

Look at these Braves-loving lovebirds. She doesn't even know what's coming!

Cuties at Nantahala lake! She still doesn't know what's coming...

Best franzzz.

Great evening to be at the Ball Park! 

It's official! 

So, summer staff is officially over August 15th. And I'm pleased to release to the world that God has opened up doors for me to stay in this area in the fall! There will be another update coming this week concerning more details. But for now, I'll give you a preview of what I'm going to talk about in the next post: 

I am so thankful for what the Lord has provided, and I'm excited for what will come of it...

Time for bed because no big deal, Stevie Noble becomes Mrs. Jared Stacy tomorrow! Gotta love the first wedding wave, folks. Can't wait to be reunited with friends and the Full House to see these two get hitched. They're so wonderful.

Stay tuned :) 

Finally!!

Finally a day to see the National Mall and to be with Miss Ally! Today was her day off from IV's Urban Plunge Summer Project in DC, so we had ourselves a nice little dinner date in Georgetown and drove to Bethesda for a quick tour of my neck of the woods. On my way to return her to her apt, giddiness set in because I realized we'd pass the Lincoln Memorial again! Ally suggested we should just park and run across the street real quick. I mean, why not? Free, spontaneous, and historical-- three of my favorite adjectives for nouns :) It was confirmed, the freedom footsteps are happening....

Le Pain Quotidien!

We weren't the only other people out at 11pm, Mom!

Loved being here! I am a history nerd. And I can't wait to someday be there for a sunrise! 

View of the Kennedy Center

Fountain on the river in Georgetown 

I'm sure people will enjoy shaking their head at me because of what else I'm about to share. So, after driving Ally home, I'm pretty sure that I was in the car for another hour. Why, you ask, did it take me an extra 40 minutes to get home? Because I missed some turns and figured I'd just keep driving til I got it figured out. We're talking, I drove all the way from Alexandria to Silver Spring, MD, passing the National Mall on my left and everything else in between, including the PR firm I visited. I got confused in a traffic circle and figured some road or sign would lead me to another I was familiar with. Hence, I followed an I-495 arrow sign through all of DC until I finally reached the Beltway. My question--why on earth would you put a sign up for any interstate about 10 miles before any exit to it? People are led astray!! 

I'm just thankful I had some reflective introvert time, about 3/4 tank of gas and a phone that was able to stay on 10% battery life for more than an hour! (Even though my GPS wasn't helpful) I actually enjoyed the scenic route; it was an unplanned joyride that was well worth the gas. And any time of driving would be worth seeing Ally! What an amazing girl seeking the Lord. I am joyous to have seen her transform over the past few years and I am blessed by her servanthood! Pray for her inner city ministry for the rest of the summer in DC!

That's all for now...first time doing P90X in the morning. EEK!