So Close!

We are getting closer and closer to owning our own home! Since the end of January we have been pursuing ownership of a fixer-upper short sale 4 bedroom, 2 bath home near Dublin, OH. Finally, we have agreed on a price, the bank is processing our application, and the home inspection is done. Now we wait for the bank to do their appraisal so so can go to closing!!

Eeek!!

Now the fun part…packing and preparing!!  And lots of projects and hunting for good deals at thrift stores, yard sales, and Craigslist for wonderful things to make our home HOME. 

One Year Down

 Landon and I just celebrated our 1st Wedding Anniversary, and I wanted to something special for him. Traditionally, the first anniversary gift is paper, so I scoured Pintrest for ideas. I love this Valentine Gift Idea by Tran-craft-intental, so I put my own spin on it, and couldn't be happier. :)


I love the idea of 52 items, one for each of the playing cards. But I decided to use 52 Memories for our first year together. Coming up with memories was the easy part....I ended up with a much bigger list, and had to choose my favorites. A good problem to have. 

Next, I gathered supplies. A nice new deck of cards, a hole punch, 

and Quick Links...only about $2!

Next, shuffled the cards. Just because. I punched holes in all the cards, using one of the jokers as a model. I was careful that they lined up perfectly! 

Next, I trimmed down the  list of memories. A few of my most favorites I set aside to make sure they would be towards the end.I glued all the memories onto the cards and laid them out so they could dry. I added a cover on the back of a joker, and used another Joker as a back cover. I included a little love note. 

I'm really happy with how it turned out, and was very pleased with how much Landon liked it. He said the best part was realizing how much time I had put into remembering so many details....we've had such an awesome year!

We celebrated our Anniversary at Niagara Falls. I painted up a "1st" sign in orange an purple, our wedding colors, and we brought along our wedding photo. Next year, we'll hold this photo. I'm excited about watching us change together. Here's to an even better second year together! 

Finally!

My new passport arrived! I needed to update it with my married name, and have been impatiently waiting for it to arrive since I mailed my application away. My new name looks pretty steller in there!  Now the countdown to our 1st Anniversary trip to Niaragara Falls begins! It's so close!! :)

I can’t help but miss my old one with all the stamps. Morocco, England, Germany, Israel, Spain, Honduras, Italy, etc, etc. I have been so blessed to see so much of the world. And now…a brand new passport with empty pages. Time will tell what countries this passport will see.

You do know you are allowed to use your passport as often as you want, don’t you?



Compassion

Three years ago, I spent a year in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, doing mission work with the organization, Heart's Home USA. So many memories came flooding back as I remembers all the people that made such an impact of my life. It was such a challenging, rewarding experience. Honestly, I sometimes am surpriesed by how much I miss my time there. So many simple, beautiful memories. I have been blessed.  

For as long as I can remember,  I knew I had wanted to serve and live among the poor in another part of the world. It was Sr. Regine who found my profile on a Catholic volunteer networking site.  I clicked on the information video in her simple e-mail, and just a few minutes into it I knew I had found what I was supposed to do. Through my time of formation, I found a community that spoke to my heart. A place where we were taught to love others not for what they can do, but simple because they are. Formation taught me that I was everything I needed to make a difference in this world through this time of mission. My only goal was to love. And I knew I would do that whole heartily.

My time of mission in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, was difficult as I adjusted to so many differences. Our home in La Colonia Trinidad was simple, and I learned to wash clothes by hand, take cold showers, and eat the simple foods day after day, just like our neighbors. I struggled to learn Spanish, and repeatedly felt that I was not able to live my mission fully because I had no idea what was going on around me. Slowly, however, I found myself more engaged in my mission because of my struggles. So many of our neighbors were bitterly poor. They struggled to get by with little education and little opportunities.  They worked as hard as they could, but were not able to change their circumstances. I was able to relate to them in ways I would not have expected. I too did not have a voice. I too was not able to change my circumstances. They needed someone to recognize their significance in this life, as we all do. I found that my simpleness allowed me to connect with them more closely than I could have imagines. 

Coming home, I have found that so many people here in America are suffering from other forms of poverty. Loneliness. Poor self-esteem. Hopelessness. We may try to pretend that everything is all right, but on some level each of us is poor. I have found that my time with Heart’s Home has opened up my heart to see and respond to the hurt around me. To family members and friends who are dealing with the challenges that come with deployment. To women who cannot have children. To young people who have been laid off and cannot find work. To a co-worker whose husband passes away after a sudden, unexpected illness. So many people are hurting and desperately need someone to take the time to show them that they are loved and valued. I am thankful that my time of services has taught me how to do that.

I Knew I Could

Last month was amazing....everything we wanted to accomplish we did. Sometimes, things work out as they should. Your hard work pays off. I love this image by missjillmcdonald .....it sums up the month well. Wonderful.  


Here's to an even better month in March. 
We heard back from the bank...we've put in another offer. With any luck we can come to an agreement and close on our FIRST HOUSE soon! I'm so excited. :)  


Lent is going well, but should be going better. I'm forming new habits this Lent, and excited to be on this journey. God is good. 

Remember me?

Hmmm….almost a year later. So much has happened and I feel like I should be chronicling it a little better.  It has been a wonderful year. Our wedding was amazing, and I am so glad Contrast Images was there to caputure every moment! Check out their site for a few of our pictures. Married life suits me.Changes continue.

Our house is homey, but not quite home. We just placed a second bit on what we hope will turn into our first real home. I’m excited, and probably sending way too much time on Pintrest.com planning every detail.  Good thing our business is growing. I am going to need some dough to make it look just so. Can we start with this please…

Still working on lots of projects.  I just started a new blanket for my sister-in-laws new little one. I’m awefully slow with new patterns, but I’m feeling proud. I’ll post pictures eventually.

Happy Lent! I'm reading Rediscover Catholicism as part of my Lenten Prep. Amazing…If you are looking for a good faith read, please treat yourself to this $3 book available from DynamicCatholic.com. 

Remember

"The mind, once expanded to the dimensions of larger ideas,

never returns to its original size."

                                     ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes 

I  began the day with the Good Friday service at St. Pat's. I love this time of year....it is a good time to be Catholic and to think about why I have allowed being Catholic to shape my life.  However, I can't help but feel a tinge of regret year after year, knowing the many opprotunities I have missed through this holy season. So after the service God and I had a little heart to heart in the empty church...what does He want for me.

God had huge plans for me. I know this beyond a doubt just as I beleive He desires amazing things for each of His children!! But He will not force this or any of His Gifts of me or any of his children. He offers them, than wait for me. My move. My Yes, just like Mary.

I hope that I, that all of us, won't miss the point of Lent. To just go back to our former habits, thankful that we can eat candy or watch TV or whatever it was we gave up. Instead, let us live as Resuraection people through this next phase of the church year...and of our live. What bad habits still need changed? What good habits can be imporved on? What can we do to let our "yes" to God resound even louder.

Happy Good Friday....Happy future.

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured,

While we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins,

Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole,

by his stripes we were healed. 

We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way;

But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all. 

                                                     ~ Isaiah 53: 4-6

Married

Soon

I can totally do this!

Seventeen days, but who is counting. Yesterday we had a phone meeting with our DJ, I talked with the florist to make sure we had the order right and were all paid up, and worked on the contacting people who have not RSVPed so I can put the final order in for food and linens. Talked with Lisa about some things she is doing for me for decorations. Talked to Theresa about the dresses. Updated all to do lists. Every day we are getting closer.

Impatient.

I am giving up stress for Lent. That sounds a little silly, maybe. It isn’t nearly as concrete as giving up chocolate or Facebook. But I thought a lot about what would help me grow closer to God, which is the point of a Lenten sacrifice, after all. So stress it is. I’ll work on loving better, too. And prayer…daily morning prayer. It will be a good, fruitful Lent, I think. Thank God for renewal!!