20 Years!

Happy 20th wedding anniversary to Mom and Bigdaddy! Mimi and Pop-pop! Y'all are so loved! To celebrate this special occasion Thom, Margaret, Carter, Stewart, Karla, Phoebe James, Clint, and I had supper in Cary! It was such a sweet day to celebrate a day we all remember! Here is a photo for your viewing enjoyment!

 September 12, 1993

Stewart, Thom, Mary Kathryn, Mom, Lee, ben, and Matt 

Life in Kinston (take 2)

2 words: Dove Season! Clint has done some dove hunting. We have about 30 little birdy breasts in our freezer. I was VERY skeptical of eating these peace symbol birds for supper... But wow! They were DELICIOUS!!! Clint can cook! He wrapped these little puppies in bacon, put some cheese, and a jalepeneo on it... Incredible! So, I have encouraged Clint to dove hunt as often as he can. Seriously..contact work? Dove hunt! Donor care? Dove hunt! Date night? Dove hunt! no just kidding not date night! I would I have never thought I would be craving some fresh shot dove... I guess it is official: I am an ENC girl!

Here is a picture time frame of the birds!

Eat More Dove!

And then the prettiest bird dog out there who sleeps at Clint's feet while on the hunt:

Reynolds!

Women's weekend 2013

For 7 years my mama and I have been traveling to Windy Gap for Women's Weekend. This is such a sweet weekend to be together and to be refreshed by Jesus's sweet grace. This years theme was all about our stories and that our little stories are a part of the lords much bigger story! It was so fun to discuss with mom and Mary Jane how all of our stories are intertwined together, that our stories have influenced each others. Mary Jane and mom are sweet sweet soul sisters that live behind each other, so it is so fun to be on this retreat with them! 

Windy Gap is a special place with so many memories and it is so fun to think of the stories that are left to be told at this sacred place. Bring it on!

So, a few highlights from the weekend:

-feeling like little girls with mom and MJ (taking jumping pictures)

-ELLIE HOLCOMB (aka: my girl crush)

-surprise friends at the retreat that I didn't know would be there, Ashley Ramsey who just moves to georgia with her hubby!

-solitude all day Saturday to sit by the pool and REST!

-cold mountain air and being able to wet sweaters!

-sweet Raleigh friends on work crew!

-eating lunch at the grove park in

-visiting with Stewart, Karla, and Phoebe James on the way home!

Here are a few pics from my phone, more pics from camera will be uploaded later!

The Bunk Monkeys:

Ellie! Love how genuine she is, she is the first to say she doesn't have it all together! Her heart for Jesus is so evident in the way she performs!

I love the program for women's weekend is always slightly inappropriate and 100% directed towards women. Theseare the   Jeans!

Lauren Richards! I love her!

The Grove Park Inn!

 

The Kincaid Family!

From where I sit

This is where I have been sitting all morning. What a gift to sit in this beautiful place, listening to the waves, and reading. With Clint being a young life area director we are invited for a staff conference at Ocean Isle and while Clint and the other staffers are in a meeting I have chosen to be a little introvert and sit. Just sit! And it has been a gift to just sit and be present. It has hit me that we have lived in K-town for a month and a half, and we have been going hard. Between moving, unpacking, YL trips, beginning new jobs, making new friends, taking every chance we get to see family, saying yes to every opportunity in town to meet new people, it has been awesome, but also exhausting. So, sitting this morning has been relaxing, refreshing, and I have been reminded of whom has called me. One of my favorite books is Love Does by Bob Goff, such a great book! A fun quote this morning that got me thinking was, "will you take what you think defines you, leave it behind, and let ME define who you are instead." What a great thought to sit in and be reminded that I am not defined by what I do, why I have, or WHERE I LIVE! Jesus is the defining thing of my life, of our marriage, and of our residency! I hope that is an encouraging thought for you today!

I have also been sitting in Psalm 103 as I sit here, this is a hefty copy and paste that is about to happen, but it is SO GOOD!

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord. (Psalms 103:1-22 NLT)

First Home Wolfpack Football Game!

Fun fact for you today, the Rouse House loves the Wolfpack! Specifically, Carter-Finley Stadium! Almost 3 years ago we became engaged in the Carter-Finley stadium! Flash back for you:

It is so fun to watch the Wolfpack play and remember this fun moment!

So, today was the season opener for N.C. State football! It was beautiful and it was HOT! 

Clint and I invited our sweet friends Kelly and Eric Hovis to go with us to the game! We tailgated and enjoyed time with our friends.  The Hovis family is preparing to leave in 5 days to live in Central Asia!I So thankful for their obedient hearts! We are praying for y'all as you prepare to leave! You should follow the Hovis family blog: http://ericandkellyhovis.blogspot.com/

Here are a few fun pictures of our afternoon with Kelly and Eric!

Pre-sweat shot

SO thankful for this friend! You will be the Tammy Taylor of Central Asia!

Go pack!!