wedding bells!

Was yesterday full of fun, or what?!  Our Saturday started with a 6am wake up call in order to drive to Maryland, but I love road trips! And I also love Sam and Jordan :-) The weather was too perfect, especially for a ceremony overlooking the bay. It's a sincere privilege to witness Christ-centered weddings, because I'm always challenged and invited by the Lord to repent. The traditional wedding ceremony itself is such a beautiful display of the gospel--a pure, radiant bride and the bridegroom being joined together just like God joins us together with Christ for eternity. (Ephesians 1) I'm so thankful to God for demonstrating His love through Samuel and Jordan yesterday.


Cute wedding favor alert--Jordan hand-painted Kerr jars, filled them with lemonade mix, and provided little straws for us to drink with after we added the water! So after celebrating with friends (some of them long lost!), we headed back to Harrisonburg...but not before Mere and I took a detour to Bethesda!  I'm. In. LOVE. 


The church is literally a two-minute walk from my lovely host home!  I've already been encouraged by Jill, the woman I'm living with! Then, only about five minutes down a runner-friendly sidewalk, we hit downtown.  Leave it to Meredith and I to literally freak out.  Could we have ever dreamt of such a trendy place?! This picture isn't too detailed, but that's because I had to pretend like I was playing it cool. 

After rummaging through Francesca's Collection (yes, please!), we ate at CAVA Mezze grill.  Being sheltered Roanokers, we were amazed at this establishment, a bit more cultured than Chipotle.  I ordered a bowl with basmati rice, falafel, eggplant/red pepper dip, and diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. Mmmmm. You can even get more toppings and dips, and it's all eco-friendly, local, and compostable!

Bethesda Row Bucketlist? So far, Puree House of Juice, Paper Source, American Tap Room, and an adorable caddy-cornered Starbucks with bold storm shudders.  :-)

Oh, and don't worry, I found my local coffee house-- Quartermaine Roasters. It's a bit more expensive, but that's probably because the coffee and food they offer is local, insanely fresh, and highest quality.  

See that face? I became an official coffee club member! :-) 

But most of all, I can't wait to explore all of this with new friends and girls I meet through ministry in the area.  So many things to do with people I can't wait to get to know!  Praise the Lord!