From Miss to Mrs.

For those of you that don't know, I just married my college sweetheart!

After dating for three years, two of which were spent long-distance, we were elated to have finally reached the finish line. There were times that finish line seemed so unattainable, so out of reach, so far away... but Jesus stood by us and He strengthened us and oh, friends.... it has been so worth the wait. The gift of marriage is beyond anything I could have ever anticipated or expected.

Our wedding day was like a fairy tale. It was better than anything I could have ever dreamed of or hoped for or imagined. Every detail was so special and we were surrounded by everyone that we love. There were white lanterns, twinkling lights, good music, good food, old hymns, lots of laughter, the weather was perfect, and best of all... I got to walk down the aisle to meet the most handsome, Godly, loving, wonderful man.

 

We spent our honeymoon at Sandals Whitehouse in Whitehouse, Jamaica. It was the dreamiest week... they spoiled us, pampered us, and everything was far better than anything I ever expected. All-inclusive is the way to go, by the way. One day we went sailing, one day we went snorkeling, one day we got up early and watched the sunrise from a hot tub on the beach, one day we had the most incredible couple's massage, and the last night Grayson surprised me with a romantic, private, candlelit dinner on the beach! It was absolutely perfect and neither of us would have changed a single thing except that we wish we could have stayed longer.

When we came home from our honeymoon, our house was festive and cheery and our tree was surrounded by wedding gifts that we could hardly wait to open. My Momma, who always thinks of everything, had stopped by to turn all of our Christmas lights on and had a sweet tray of breakfast in bed ready for the next morning, the first morning we would wake up together in our new home! He carried me over the threshold, and just like that... married life began in the little town of Belmont.

Learning to live with someone is such an adventure. Sometimes we dance around the living room for no reason, sometimes we go get taco bell in our pajamas at midnight, and sometimes we don't do anything at all (and even that is so much fun). We have so many hopes, dreams, and ideas about our future together, but no matter what- we want Jesus to be glorified through our marriage and we want to stay right in the center of His perfect will.

Stay tuned, this adventure from Miss to Mrs. is only just beginning!

Wedding pictures coming soon // Bridal pictures by Erica Serrano Photography.

Detox Juice Cleanse

Ok, so this is supposed to be "coffee date" with Kate... not "disgusting juice" date with Kate. However, today, I am sharing my latest endeavor- Joe Cross' famous Weekend Juice Cleanse.

I have heard a lot about juicing in recent months, but never tried it myself.... until now. Two other girls I work with decided to participate, which I've found to be most helpful, because it provides a support system when I start wanting French fries craving something unhealthy.

For three days, or as long as you would like, you have five juices a day in the order shown below:

To say I was a "little" nervous about doing this is a huge understatement. I am a meat and potatoes girl all the way. I don't really struggle with craving sweets, but when it comes to cheeseburgers, mashed potatoes, pancakes or Chick-fil-a... well, lets just say that's another story. I've never really struggled with my weight until now, and at the age of 22, I realize that only I can take control of it before it gets so out of hand that I can't do it in a healthy way.

 

I hope to continue juicing a few days a week, then eventually a few days a month after my metabolism gets back to where it needs to be.

 

Breakfast Juice: 3 Carrots, 2 Apples, 1" Ginger

My Review: I never realized how much zing ginger has... woah. It's definitely an interesting combination! At first, I thought I wouldn't be able to make myself drink the whole thing, but then after adding a little ice, it became more tolerable and by the end, it didn't taste quite so much like I was drinking perfume. YAY juice!

Final (sad) review: I quit. Yeah, I know, it's pathetic. I didn't even make it through a whole day. When we got to the juices with the beets and sweet potatoes I threw up and decided Chick-fil-a is way better. Oh, well... I guess the skinny life is just not for me.





Renmen Abonde is doing BIG THINGS!

First, I'd like to thank each and every person who has supported my latest endeavor: raising money for missions in Haiti by making bracelets- a little company I named Renmen Abonde (which is Creole for "love abounds").

As word of mouth has traveled and Jesus has worked, there has been more and more demand and a need for a website devoted solely to my bracelets (in addition to the already existing instagram page).

So, I'm happy to announce that I have finally jumped the gun and created just that!


Check it out!

Stiches of Love: The Happiest Friday Surprise

Today, I was sitting at the front desk of the office where I work, busy, stressed and I had a thousand other things on my mind. Then out of the blue, a sweet little lady named Mary, who I helped a few days ago, came in and handed me a little bag and it turned my whole day around.

I had only met Mary once before. I talked to her about tour books, new roads, maps, and when she mentioned going to a wedding in December, I told her that I, too, am getting married in December.

Well, this sweet little lady, who I'd guess is about 85 years old, had gone home that night after we talked and knitted me a washcloth. It is made from beautifully colored yarn and I promise you I could feel the love she made it with in every stitch.

For those of you that don't know, my grandmother went Home to be with Jesus just two weeks ago, and although no one could ever come close to loving me the way she did, how sweet is it that Jesus sent me this little lady, to love me like a grandma would right when I needed it most?

Mary is exactly the kind of woman I want to be: thoughtful, kind, and intentional. She showed me Christ's love in a tangible way and I will forever hold onto this little washcloth as a reminder of that. My heart is full today. Be encouraged, there's so many good people in this world!

Happy Friday!

A Heart Like His: A Compassionate Spirit

Throughout Scripture, Jesus is a consistent example of the definition of compassion.

Webster describes it as "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it." When studying this topic in preparation for today's blog entry, I noted that while synonyms of compassion are "sympathy" and "feeling," antonyms are "hard-heartedness" and "callousness."

Forming harsh opinions and saying hurtful things about a person's situation when you have never personally gone through their struggles is just one example of a hardened heart. It's easy to do. You get wrapped up in your own life, you get "tired of hearing about it," and it's hard to see things from other perspectives. But, in love, I want to say that this is not of Jesus. His heart, His life... it compels us towards a compassionate spirit.

What does compassion look like? Compassion looks like Jesus. It looks like the King bowing before His disciples to wash their feet, symbolic of the importance of service and servanthood. It looks like Jesus healing the sick, setting an example for us to do everything in our power to care for those that we are able to help ("Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion towards them, and He healed the sick." Matthew 14:14).  It looks like Jesus, loving the adulterous woman through her sin, rather than judging her (John 8:3-11). It looks like a Father, sending His only Son to die so that we can have life.

If Jesus Christ, the wonderful, all powerful, merciful Father and Creator has set this example for us, and could endure all the hurt that He did on our behalf, why is it so hard for us to show compassion on others?

Accept this challenge with me, dear friends, to continue working towards a Heart Like His.

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Ephesians 4:32

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind."
1 Peter 3:8

A Heart Like His: Being Intentional

Hi, friends! Grab a cup of coffee with your favorite creamer and let's talk about being intentional. It's been on my mind for a while now and I just want to touch on a few things.

There have been a few people in my life who have taught me about being intentional at different times, always seeming to show up right when I need to be reminded of the importance of it.

Sarah, my Bible Study leader my last year of college, was one person who taught me a lot about being intentional. Watching the way she invested her time, energy and talents into each of the girls in our little group challenged me to be more like that.

Zhanna, another incredibly influential woman in my life, has also taught me a lot about what it really means to be intentional. Working alongside her at AAA has opened my eyes to the art of building relationships, and intentionally making a difference in people's lives.

"Hey, how are you today?"
"I'm fine, thanks. How are you?"
"Good!"

How many times a day do you have this meaningless conversation? Are you really doing fine? Do you genuinely care about how the person you're speaking with is doing?

Lets accept the challenge together to foster relationships and to intentionally make lifelong investments in people's lives.

I think you'll be surprised what blessings come from making this conscious choice every day.

A Heart Like His: Contentment

I am so humbled by all the support and encouragement I have received after beginning this new series! Wow! In continuation of this study of a Heart Like His, my topic today is contentment.

I want to begin by saying that there is nothing wrong with striving for success, in fact, I think most of us don't dream quite big enough. Being a "dreamer," as some would call it, is a good thing, and, when in the center of God's will, can bring wonderful successes and blessings. However, God's timing doesn't always make sense to us. It's easy to get ahead of God, and even when we have good intentions, not listening to His voice can lead to heartache.

After my first mission trip to Haiti, I wanted to drop out of college. I hated going to classes that I thought I'd never need, I couldn't even think about what I wanted to "be when I grew up," and I felt trapped. To say I was discontent would be an understatement... and I had two whole years left (which seemed like a lifetime). How could I possibly stay in that little town going through the motions of what every 20 year old is "supposed" to do when I knew what needed to be done in other parts of the world? I knew my potential to change lives by sharing Jesus with them. I knew of specific needs that I could help meet. I knew of sweet little girls who just needed to feel loved, who needed someone like me to wrap my arms around them and encourage them. I wanted to be back there more than anything. But I wasn't in Haiti and I couldn't be.

That's when Jesus first began speaking to my heart about contentment. I learned that you can only find true peace and contentment through Him. I started asking Him daily to use me where I was, to make me fall in love again with the little town that I had wanted to live in my entire life, and to provide me with contentment where I was until I got to where I wanted to be, and He transformed my heart and attitude, breathing into me a new zest for life. He added to my passion for missions by giving me a passion for the present. He didn't crush my dreams of serving Him, He didn't say "no;" He said "wait."

So, for two years, that's exactly what I've done. Now, only 21 days stand between my heart's desire to take the love of Jesus to the Haitian people and boarding the plane. Jesus' timing is perfect. Accept this challenge with me, friends, to rest in the contentment that only He can give, to trust Him fully. For me, this is a daily struggle, something that I have to ask Him for each and every day. Together, through Him, we can find joy and contentment where we are right now, having learned from the past and looking forward to the future.