keeping it cool

What amazing fall weather we have been having- I don't remember ever having this many days in September with weather so cool. How's the weather been where you are? Hope you've been enjoying it like we have!

xo

refresh

What are your plans this weekend? We were a part of a moving worship night last night, and today I am working at a wedding with this lovely lady again. I'm looking forward to little down time in between. Hope you have a refreshing weekend! Here are just a few links from around the internets :)

Let's do it :)

Did you read the book? Will you see the movie?

It's relieving when you can accept it.

The other side to "White Privilege."

Hot mama.

Anyone getting the fall football itch?


xoxo


Image found here //

happy spring weekend!

I hope you have a lovely first weekend of spring. After a busy and stressful week, Andrew and I are planning on just taking it easy this weekend. Thank you for all of the prayers, support, and encouraging words. We are keeping our fingers crossed, and pushing forward no matter what :)

Totally planning on seeing this movie this weekend, most likely alone, and I'm not even ashamed. 

And next up, this one. (I finished the book in less than 4 days. So. Good.)

And since I've had a Young Adult novel kick lately, here's this link, just for fun :)

Super hot.

Adult magnetic alphabet letters. 

Maybe I will try this on my almost done dresser renovation...

Gold and white ruffle (I die!).

I will take one, please :)

Citrus love.

The warm weather is so close- you can do it- almost here!

xo

Image found here //

brighten up your thursday

It's one of those weeks where we have been so busy, it's hard to take time to reflect and be inspired to write or blog. Andrew's on the verge of something new, and I am blazing through the days trying to get in an application asap. Please pray for us! In the mean time, before I hunker down, I visited Pinterest for some pretty "pin"spiration ;)

                                     

Image Sources: // 1. Simple Feather // 2. Half-Up Braid // 3. Beautiful World // 4. Floral Centerpiece // 5. Iced Coffee // 6. Potatoes & Thyme // 7. Anarstarpi, Iceland //

what did you gain/learn in 2013?

One thing that 2013 did for me was renew my love for reading. During college, it was hard to squeeze in time for "books for pleasure," and the list of books I read during that time is pretty sparse. Starting last summer, I went on a reading frenzy and read 7 novels in just a few months (I highly recommend Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion 3-book series… so. good.). I already have two books currently on my "next" list. With all the buzz over the book-based film coming out in March, Divergent, I popped into Barnes and Noble the other day and decided to give it a try and read the first 60 pages… And hopefully it makes it's way to me in the mail today :) Also, I received Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers, for Christmas, and will be starting that one soon after my Divergent kick finishes. Now, I can't believe I went so many years without indulging myself in the world's greatest pastime.
Any good books you've read recently?

xo

Image found here //

made new

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, 

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness."

-Lamentations 3:22-23 

Just reflecting today on how humbling and wonderful it is to have the chance to be made new in the peace of each morning. 

Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing grace and love, mercy and direction. 

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."

-Psalm 119:105

 // Picture here 

two month tribute

As of today, we have officially been in Haiti for two months! Our first break home is only a few weeks away (September 16), and riding home in the tap-tap a few days ago...

those sandy beaches...

Don't you love long walks on the beach? I think it's one those things that almost all people, no matter who they are or where they're from, can appreciate. Perhaps as humans, there's something inside of us that likes recognizing and being in awe of just how small we are, and just how beautiful the earth really is. But then there's that smaller few (and possibly older...) that find their pleasure in searching for shells and other treasures that the ocean waves bring ashore. Well, I've crossed over to that side- and this beach was a collector's dream...

Andrew and The Ladies

We got to visit with some friends from the US the other day... They stayed for a week at The Village of Hope, and we visited them for a couple hours to talk, eat dinner, and tour the village. The girls have already left, but it was refreshing to spend time with them and share our experiences with each other.

We also took our first moto ride on the way out there! A moto is another form of transportation- a guy on a small motorcycle that fits 1 or 2 passengers and takes you directly to where you need to go, with no stops. A little more expensive, but quicker than a tap-tap which is constantly starting and stopping to let off and pick up passengers. It's also scarier...! I won't go into details to spare our parents from anxiety... but our first experience was very safe and succesful ;)

saturday morning in the mountains

Yesterday morning we drove with some friends from church to Kenscoff, a town in the mountains of Port-au-Prince...

coffee shops make the world go round

We got word that there is an upscale coffee shop in Petionville. So yesterday, we boarded a tap-tap and rode the 10 gourds worth up to PV-- and found a coffee shop!!!

It's called Rebo Expresso, and had A/C, wifi, and toilets that flush! We felt so fancy, and like normal people again. Isn't it pretty?!

I got to FaceTime with my momma, and we caught up on emails while Andrew enjoyed a $1.00 (40 gourds) cup of coffee :)

We left with lifted spirits, feeling like we were back at Walker's in Athens like old times.