Just a Start

I have married the most perfect man for me.  When I was little all the way up to high school, I had a very specific and crazy dream.  I wanted to help people in a BIG way.  I wanted to change things and I felt (and still feel) a very personal responsibility for people in need.  What an amazing thing it was to find Billy.  He has a heart that is bigger than mine and dreams that encompass the one that I've had all of these years. Of course, I recognize that God has given all of us such different dreams and goals, and I am just so thankful to have found someone who understands mine so well and who feels as much passion as I do for this.

Anyway, I didn't want to write this about me and Billy (I can't help it, I'm in love!).  I was actually reading this awesome book by a guy named Tom Davis, called Fields of the Fatherless, and I was once again reminded of that thing.  You know, the thing that when you read about it or hear about it, your heart starts to beat really fast, and you just know that this is what your heart was supposed to beat hardest for?  This is it for me.  He talks all about injustice in the world and what we, as Christians, are responsible for.  It always takes me back to Isaiah 1 and 58 (I'm not going to quote them here because these verses are definitely somewhere else on this blog, if not a few times).  These chapters talk about what God really asks of us - to seek out the poor, help the orphans and widows, release those in bondage, feed the hungry.  Of course, it makes me want to go live and breathe for this cause, but we don't have the resources to do that right now.  I do, however, have resources that I, and you, can use to help:

• International Justice Mission - ijm.org - This organization is Christian-based, yet it uses legal action to take care of injustices around the world.  You can financially support a specific area that you want to see justice taken in.  It's an awesome opportunity, and it really makes a consistent, real difference in the lives and future generations of people all over.


• North Charleston Dream Center - Adopt-a-Block - We, at Genesis and Northwood Church, have been going to this awesome event for the past 6 months or so, and this month, Genesis is heading up it's own block.  This means that we have our own block of people that we can minister to specifically as we get to know them and their needs personally.  Billy is heading this up, and we are just so excited to see what God will do through our group.  We are hoping that the small spark we have can create a fire as people join us.  If you are going to be in Charleston on the first Saturday of the month, starting in December, email us and we can get you connected.  Here, you can watch a video of what the whole Dream Center is about.  It's awesome, and I'm amazed that we have a chance to be a part of it:  Dream Center Promo Video.

I'm interested to see what kind of things are on your heart.  If you have something specific and a way that others can join you in making a difference, leave a comment.  There's so much out there to be done!  Our God is so big, and it's so amazing to be a part of His body.

Bliss and Busyness

Wow!  It's been a really long time since I've blogged.  However, I have been validly busy!  Since I last updated, I have gotten married (yay!), gone on a honeymoon, and been really busy with school.  I can't believe that over a month has passed, and it's almost Thanksgiving.  I guess I'll just give some updates that I can remember, and after this, start blogging regularly again!

• Being married is wonderful, and I love watching movies and eating dinner and shopping with Billy.  I keep getting asked what the best part about being married is, and I have a hard time putting my finger on anything specific.  I just love that we get to do everything together and just experience life.


• School is crazy and I just cannot wait to have this semester over with.  I have a huge paper to write for my American Writing class, and I am really dreading it, and I like to write.  I just think I've been so busy that I can't wait for a true break.


• Our friends, Paul and Amy, got married 4 weeks after us, and it was such a beautiful wedding.  We are glad to add the last wedding of the year, and I'm so glad that they're married now, too.


• The honeymoon was absolutely amazing.  We went to Riviera Maya, Mexico, and it was gorgeous.  Our resort was wonderful and we had so much fun relaxing.  One of the highlights was this contest that they had one night that was modeled after "American Idol."  It was a singing contest, and Billy entered, and he WON!  He won a bottle of Tequila, which we promptly gave away to one of Billy's newly-made fans (who ended up being a HUGE fan after the gift).


• Living in a small apartment is so fun.  I love being a wife, and I want to just clean all of the time (okay, well, that's dramatic, but still...)!  Really, though, I do love it, and I feel so blessed to be at this point in our lives.


• Couponing has gotten even better since we have been married.  I think I'm the only girl I've met so far who's husband helps her clip coupons!  Seriously, he's so awesome.  We actually go in two lines every Sunday night so that we can get two Mystery Penny items at Publix.  It's so fun!


• I am looking forward to Christmas break so that I can read cheesy Christian romance novels.  I can't wait to stop reading this literary fiction.  It's only qualified as "literary" if it has a bad ending.  I like happy, sloppy, romantic endings.

I think I should end this list, but thanks to anybody who stayed long enough to read this!  I'll update sooner, next time.

Oh, and here's a wedding picture.  I'll put more on later!

 

Goin' to the Chapel

I can't believe that we are getting married tomorrow!  I am so excited.  I feel so blessed that all of the people we love have come around us to make our day so special.  We have had family and good friends make their way to Charleston just for us!  It's so humbling to have so many people that are here for us!  I never expected anything this wonderful.

Anyway, last night was our Rehearsal, and it was so much fun!  Today, I have a bridal luncheon and then I have my bachelorette party tonight!  I can't wait!  Billy is going to play golf during the day and then hanging out with the guys tonight!

And tomorrow is the big day!  I'll update after the honeymoon!!

Goodness, Gracious!

I have heard that as women, we have a special talent for multi-tasking.  I'm not so sure that I do, personally, but I really hope so, considering all that I have to do in the next week-and- a-half!  Coming up, I have 2 midterms, one report, one huge paper, and all of the small wedding details to nail down.  I'm pretty swamped, and I shouldn't even be writing this blog, but I wanted to at least get this one in before the wedding (and hopefully one more)!

I don't really know what I am even blogging about, but I was excited to do it.

I guess I will just give an update by listing a couple of things on my mind...

• Holy cow, there are ONLY 15 days left until I'm married!


• Holy cow, there are STILL 15 days left until I'm married!


• I am an official coupon-er. I just made up that word, but I think that it suits it.  I think that Southern Savers is the best thing in the world, and this week I saved almost $60 by using coupons at Publix.  It's nowhere close to where I want to be, but I'm learning!


• Taking a senior level Bible class has kicked my behind, and it's not even my major.  Note to self:  The title "Book Study of John" does not mean "Let's get together for a Bible study and talk about how much Jesus loves us."  It really means that the professor will mention words you don't know like "Soteriology" and "Docetism" and expect you to know them already.


• Budgeting is becoming more and more important, and we are learning a lot.  Trial and error is not always the way to go with money, though.  I'm learning that it's just better to stay safe and not play around.  You could go in the negative, or end up with a small amount in checking... I'm just saying.

Ok, so there is a lot more than that going on.  But really, I just don't have time, and anyone reading this probably thanks me for not ranting and raving any longer.  Maybe I'll squeeze in one more post before the wedding.  If not, I'll see you on the other side!  Yipee!

One Month + One Week...

It's been a little while since I've really updated everything that's been happening, and I think it's because I've been so busy!

Well, today, the countdown on my dashboard (of my macbook) told me that I have one month and one week until our wedding!  I just can't believe it!  It is really coming so fast, and most of the time I feel like it.  We have been doing so much to prepare, but I'll get to that later.

School started, and I love it!  It's been somewhat stressful, but also it's been really fun!  Already, I feel like I've learned a lot, and I love my English classes.  Plus, it really has helped me to fill my time up... so much so, that I can get overwhelmed with this schedule I am keeping.  But I know it's worth it.

And, talking about a busy schedule, Billy and I have had a hard time getting away.  I mean, we do see each other all of the time, but our one-on-one time has been cut down pretty drastically.  Still, we try to make time to have fun.  Last Sunday, we had a picnic on the beach, and then we went to Marble Slab (my FAVORITE)!  It was so fun, and a good reminder of how much we love each other:

Anyway, about the wedding...  We have been making such great progress!  Things are falling into place, girls are getting their dresses ready, guys are getting their tuxes measured... really, it's coming together!  Next week, we are going to meet with Phillip, Anita, and the Fergusons (all who are so graciously helping at our reception... thanks again) to go hang out and look at the Embassy Suites (where the reception is) so that we can finalize some of our plans with that.  My bridal portraits are coming soon, as well... Gosh, I can't wait.

Oh!  We have had so many weddings, that I just wanted to comment on those as well!  They were all so beautiful and unique!  I was amazed at how quickly they passed, and I'm just so glad that everyone is married now (except us, of course, and Paul & Amy).  I'm pretty sure I cried at every one!

Ok, so that's it for now... hopefully I'll get one or two more updates in before the big day!  Then I really will be Sarah Ann Rogers.... yay!