Wondrous..or maybe WACKY Wednesday

The best friends have the best random photo shoots. Like this one...

In July at the Fifth Third Ball Park

or this one

on Lake Michigan in early July with Cindy

and then there's this one

in Sticky Fingers Bathroom in Downtown Greenville

and then better yet; there are the times that my friend take my camera when im not looking and take these

Relay 10

and this one.

And don't forget about the creaper pictures from the night/early morning

There's the ones of newish friends

as well as ones of old ones

on the way to Toronto for the final GS field trip.

and then there's the ones that knew each other in grade school and met up again in College

AND then there are these friends....

who think they're funny to make the Kelly face.

Which makes me think of something fun to do less than a year later with one friend on another friends camera.

And we wait to see how long it takes for her to realize that we have highjinxed her camera.

Wondrous and Wacky at the same time!

Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday!

Sunday Snapshots: A Night with the Chapmans

Thursday October 21st, me, myself and I went to Holland for an AMAZING journey with the Chapmans. Now all my friends know how in love I am in with Chinese babies, and one day I know God has called me to adopt, but more about that later. I feel in love with the thought of Chinese adoption through the Chapman family. Steven Curtis is a Christian singer that I would listen to during freshman year, at the same time that I was finding myself again with my faith. I have shared a lot about the Chapman family on my blog, the  most recent with my struggle with God in August, and I was so excited to get to see them in Holland this year.

It was a once in a lifetime experience, Steven would be singing, his sons who are in a band called Caleb would open and Mary Beth his wife was going to share about their story, the good and the bad. The happy times and the most recent struggles. I have read Mary Beth's new book, listened to Steven Curtis and Caleb non-stop and was excited to see them. I wasn't so sure about going by myself, but when would I ever get the chance again, and I knew I would regret it if I didn't go with the venue being so close to school.

I paid for the VIP experience to get to sit on in a Q&A with Mary Beth and Steven. That made them so real to me. I mean they are real people, but until this point I was just reading about them in blogs, and listening to their music. This experience was one I will never forget.

God was in the audience that night with everything that was happening around me. Prayer, Praise and a whole lot of LOVE. I have never experienced anything like it.

3 hours later I was overtaken by the LOVE that was being given out throughout the venue. The warmth and welcoming of the Chapmans, and the love that they share as a family was amazing.

Anyway, I wanted to share a couple of pictures from the night and not drag this on too much longer. Here are some of my favorites.

 Steven. Mary Beth. and their friends Singer and Songwriter Jeff Moore

 Introducing Caleb!

 Singing with Caleb the Band and next to his son Caleb Chapman

 Caleb!

 Since Maria Sue had joined her father in heaven, SCC has changed some verses to his songs. Most importantly he changed the last verse to Cinderella, a song that was written for Stevey Joy and Maria.

 Singing with his friend Jeff Moore who has an amazing voice as well

 Sharing their story. So raw and so true. (Grown men were crying)

 "SEE"

 Maria's Artwork, that SCC found after she died. 

Kind of bummed it blurry, but Caleb came out to perform with Steven at the very end.

Its amazing how this family can share even after a big struggle with God. They make me want to go to China so bad on one of their SHOW HOPE missions. Maybe one day I will. 

Until Later...

Saddle up your horses we've got a trail to blaze

Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace

Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown

This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure

Sunday Snapshots: Little Love

When I was in South Carolina, going to get Mary, I got to hang out with some little boys which Mary has talked about forever. They melted my heart right away, go figure.

So when I was getting ready to head out with Mary to Charleston, I bought the Bobo's a hobo pie maker for their camping trips. Charlie had asked me what I love to do when I go camping and was hoping to get some ideas to keep the boys interested in camping. So for letting me stay with them for the long weekend, I got them a hobo pie maker. The boys were so excited.

And right before school started I sent George and little Charlie a box of some small things to wish them a good school year. I knew they would love it, most of it was Toy Story 3 stuff that I had been collecting all summer. On Friday night, I got an awesome email from Eileen and Charlie. That included a Thank you and these awesome pictures!

They also sent me some really cute pictures of them making Hobo Pies. Especially cute is that the crust was removed form their sandwiches.

Charlie looks so proud!

I can now see why Mary misses South Carolina so so much, and why coming back was a big decision. 

Til later 

sneak peak...Sunday Snaphot

Just loving that the crust has been taken off. Lots of love sent from SC from these too, look forward to some more awesome pictures tomorrow night!

Sunday Snapshot: Signs

I'm taking an idea from another blog, for some fun, to mix up my own blog, and to hopefully get me on here at least once a week. With my schedule this should be interesting.

So each Sunday I will add a picture that no one has seen on FB or on my camera. Some weeks maybe some oldies and other weeks maybe I'll try my shot at some cool random pictures of the beauty around me.

This week, as I continue to look for strength in my world I am reminded of a little gift that means a lot to me. Kyle is my cousin, who I use to watch many weeks one summer about the time that his mom was helping me with Confirmation. At the time I began to become very close to them, and now LOVE seeing them. Kyle always makes my sisters and I something special for Christmas each year, and last Christmas he worked hard, as Kim says, to make Angel pins. Mine ended up on my backpack, and love being able to have a part of him with me during school and remind me of my faith as well.

During this summer I added some pins to my backpack that I had. I was up to about 7 with the Angel pin as well, until I started realizing I lost 2 and then on the bus I broke the 4 more. The only one left...........

My Angel pin from sweet Kyle.

Morgan says its a sign. I'm agreeing with her on that one. What kind of sign? Only God will know. But for now my Angel pin will keep my faith going and keep Kyle with me every step of the way.

Til Later!

(I know I didn't make this before Sunday ended, but I promise I started it at 11:45pm Sunday night :)

Update

So where have I been since my struggle with God that late night in August? I've been busy juggling school, work, friends, family, tutoring, and my faith.

I love being able stay busy but figuring out how to balance staying busy this year has been a test as well. I have a lot to share in the next couple months and am very excited for the semester to continue. For now, I'm looking forward to the continuing celebration of GV and Homecoming this week! Enjoying my observations at Evergreen and my 2nd grade class this year at church has been so fun.

One of my struggles this summer was the struggle of getting back to church. I never wanted to not go back, but giving me the summer to grow and realize that Fr. Jerry is in a better place has allowed for me to grow in my relationship with God. Some Sundays I still think of Fr. Jerry while I'm in mass but looking around doing praise with my fellow GV Catholic friends, I feel welcomed and loved by God.

Until Later. I'm looking forward to Jason Derulo tomorrow and the weekend with my friends!