In the quiet...

Sweet Amber, thank you for your blogging accountability - you know I need it! :)

So I'm here! I've made it to Tennessee, and boy is it COLD! This Florida girl is sooo out of place! I woke up yesterday morning, looked out the window and thought, "hmm, it's a perfect morning for a run!" I put on what I thought was "warm clothes" and headed out the door. The air hit me like a brick wall. "Just get going, you'll warm up once your blood is moving," I tried to convince myself. A mile later I couldn't feel anything below my neck. "This is ridiculous," I thought, "I'm heading home." I got back to the apartment and ran to check the temp - 12 degrees and getting colder!!! I sat in front of my heater and tried to do anything to feel my legs again - 4 hours later I finally felt normal. Note to self : don't go running without checking the temp. Today is colder, this morning my weather.com app said 10 degrees but feels like 2 degrees. We're supposed to have weather below zero a little later this week - I can't believe people live in this all their lives!

Enough about the cold, Tennessee has been an adventure. The people are ever-so friendly, my new roommates are wonderful, the apartment is coming along (well my share of it at least), it's beautiful and wintery (quite a change from my flat, hot & humid homeland), and the best part - I'm at total peace about the entire move. My life has come to a screeching halt, I've gone from crazy busy to almost bored, but it's been such a blessing! I've had such a wonderful time "nesting" (if you can call it that at 21), creating my little sanctuary, cooking my own meals, catching up on my much missed quiet time and just relaxing. No agenda, no meetings, no stress and no pressure - it's been wonderful! I can't keep this up forever, I'm starting to get a little bored, but it's been nice for a few days or so. Before I left home, I kept feeling a tug on my heart saying "listen to me." I totally brushed it aside until I got here, but now that I've had time to listen, that little voice has become the music my heart sings to. My boyfriend and I didn't really do resolutions this year, but we did set a goal to go through the Bible in a year together. So far so good. It's been so neat going through it together, it makes the distance a little more bearable. A Psalm I came across has been resonating in my heart over the past few days of quiet, "But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is Godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him. Be angry and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord." Psalm 4:3-5 I've read that verse several times before, but this time it really spoke to me. He has set me apart for Himself and He's listening! :) I love that! So many days I feel like I chatter prayers on and on in my quiet time or just throughout the day and by the end of it, I feel as if I'm just talking to myself. Regardless of my chatter, He is listening, He hears me and He's delighting in me! Simple truth, but one that grabbed me.

Once again, it's been over a month since I last updated, so here are some pictures to make up for lost time. I hope you're doing well. I'm missing all my GB friends and family so much, know that you're all being thought about and prayed for daily!

Love and blesings,

d


(Sorry, they're all out of order)




My beau and I, counting down till 2009!



Downtown Countdown 2008




Beautiful Amber and I at the Downtown Countdown on New Year's Eve




Mom, Sister and I at the Women's Christmas Tea




Our MASSIVE but beautiful Christmas tree!




My new roomies! (Aren't they beautiful?! :)



Saying Goodbye for now. :(



One LAST photo



Annual Christmas Pics...