The Grand Celebration

    Chris and I wanted to start a tradition of celebrating our birthdays and anniversary together on a long-weekend trip somewhere each year.  This year we planned to go to Ashville, but it was expensive and just not working out.  A friend of Chris offered for us to stay at their beach house in Oak Island and we just couldn't pass up the opportunity!  We both LOVE the beach and you can't beat "free anniversary price"  ahhh we are so blessed. 
     We really had no idea where Oak Island was but we heard a lot of good things about the area.  To our surprise the house we stayed in was on the beach!  It was absolutely beautiful.  We had no internet, no tv and we were SO excited.  We most definitely LOVE getting away from the noise and busy-ness of life.  We had no agenda and an entire weekend to relax and enjoy...

     The first night we stopped at a local seafood market on our way in and got crab legs and fresh shrimp.  We had a feast that night...seafood, salad, corn, hawaiian rolls and wine!  I think we could both agree that was the best crab and shrimp we've had in a long time.  It was so fresh.

     The first day we were there it rained so we headed on over to Myrtle Beach, SC.  We stopped at Bass Pro Shop and happened to find our favorite store, Goodwill.  We stoppped in and found a few good finds!  Next stop was the outlets.  What a great rainy day for shopping...and eating Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream MMmmMmm!  .... yes, we always share!

     Our little getaway was so much fun.  It was carefree and relaxing, rejuvenating to our souls!  One thing we really enjoy is cooking together and enjoying yummy meals.  That night we used the left-over seafood to make an alfredo sauce with pasta, steamed veggies, a salad and a "snake-bite" (guiness and woodchuck beer).  Oh yes.  We really enjoy good food...

     Next morning we awoke to the beautiful sunshine and waves of the NC coast.  It was my birthday!  First thing we wanted to do was go for a bike-ride...

     Then we headed to Wilmington, one of our most favorite places to go.  We have spent a lot of time in Wilmington together and have many special memories in that town.  We made it there just in time to take HOT yoga at Porters Neck Yoga Spa with one of our 2 favorite teachers, Kas =)  She was not expecting us, it was a great surprise!!!  I was also able to get the one thing I'd wanted for my birthday-- a pair of feather earrings!  I love them and they are so special because Kas and Monique handmade them.

     That afternoon we made our way to Airle Gardens.  I've always wanted to go there, my friend Nicole told me about the gardens years ago.  It was SO pretty.  I absolutely LOVE flowers, expecially perennials:  tulips and dafodills.  We spent the afternoon making our way through the self-guided tour of the many, many gardens.

     That evening we took a walk around "the loop."  So many special memories along the 2-mile loop.  We stopped half-way and watched the sunset.  We are so incredibly thankful to both enjoy so many simple things together-- like watching the sunset and taking a walk.

     Since we started dating Chris has always wanted to bring me to The Melting Pot.  That night, without reservations we went to try The Melting Pot.  It was a total God thing-- we got there and they told us it would be a 2-hour wait so we went and sat at the bar.  I was totally NOT feelig the bar and told Chris I'd rather wait for a table.  Then, they asked, "You're here for just dessert, right?" "Yes!" we responded...they had us seated in 10 minutes!  Chris and I got French press coffee for two and the Yin and Yang dark/white chocolate fondue with LOADS of yummy treats.  If we did it again, we would ask for just fruit.  The graham cracker and oreo covered marshmallows, pound cake, rice krispies, cheesecake, brownie, strawberries and bananas were a little too much!  They even brought out a candle for my birthday-- how sweet!

     That night we sat out on the porch star-gazing.  The moon was REALLY bright that night too.

     Next day was Chris's birthday =)  He wanted to relax and read that morning.  It was so nice to be slow and enjoy the quiet time.  We read for hours and enjoyed some coffee.  Before long it was time to pack up.  Before we headed home we went for one last stroll on the beach...it was grand.

     What a blessing.  We are so thankful we were able to get away, relax and celebrate our birthdays and marriage =)  Can't wait ti see what next year brings.

Prayer is Powerful.

The power of prayer--  I know I've posted about this before but I believe we can't be reminded enough of the POWER of our prayers.  There are so many Bible verses that reference prayer and praying. 

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.  And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.  And since we know he hears our request, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.  1 John 5:13-15  

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

Are any of you suffering hardships?  You should pray.  Are any of you happy?  You should sing praises.  Are any of you sick?  You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with the oil in the name of the Lord.  Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well.  And if you have committed sins, you will be forgiven.   Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.   James 5:13-16

We were given this hope when we were saved.  (If we already have something, we don't need to hope for it.  But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)  And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groans that cannot be expressed in words.  Romans 8:24-26

Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

How exciting and empowering for me to know that I can pray and know our God is listening to each and every prayer.  Big or little.  Important or not so important.  God wants to hear our prayers.  I encourage you to pray.  Share with God what's on your heart, tell Him what's going on. 

Chris and I have a prayer journal that sits on our coffee table.  We write each and every prayer request in there and continually pray over them.  It is so neat to see how God works and answers our prayers! 

I had the opportunity to go on a ladies retreat a few weekends ago-- what a blessing.  A weekend at the beach with my sisters in Christ.  One thing I learned when I was there was NOT to under-estimate our God.  He can do anything.  Who am I, with little faith, to under-estimate his mighty power.  Chris and I continue to pray for my Nana.  I told her a few days ago we are praying for complete healing of her femur.  I think she was a little surprised when we said that but we believe our God is mighty and powerful and can do anything-- including completely healing Nana's femur.    Please join us in lifting my Nana in prayer.  The road to recovery has been much longer than she expected but we pray she would be lifted up and completely healed.  The best part?  We get to go visit her this week!  We are so excited and can't wait to get there =)

A Year Later

     The morning before Chris and I got married, Chris took me out early that morning to the daffodil field in Winterville.  It was a surprise, just me and him.  It is so beautiful. Flowers, especially daffodils, will put a smile on me =)  That is one of our most special memories from right before we got married.  The neatest part-- there was a photographer there that asked to take our picture!  And she sent them to us...so neat.

     A year later, we had pics taken in that same field.  What a special memory.  We are so thankful Laci took these for us =)  Here's a few...

     We hope you enjoyed the pics as much as we did =)  ...and that's just a sneak peak, we have many more.  Check out Laci Strickland Photography to see all her great work.  Thanks again Laci for the pics.