Payday

This week has been full of paydays.

I love paydays. I'm sure most do. It's the fiscal reward for all of your hard work. It means you can breath, go out on the weekend, pay bills, splurge on the cute outfit you've been eyeing for a few weeks. Things seem to be less tense.

But this time, my definition of payday means something different. It wasn't monetary this week. And it's been something other than monetary many times before.

TC, or should I say Coach T, started teaching middle school physical education for the first time since graduating with a Physical Education degree. He also started as the head middle school football coach, and though he's coached for many years, this was the first time coaching while being a full time teacher at a school. Writing a note to Coach T for his lunch box last Wednesday, I started with, "It's payday!".... We've waited for this moment for years. He's waited and worked for it even longer. Years. Years of school. Years of applications and resumes. Years of working, enjoying and investing where he was while constantly being reassured of his calling to teach - for this moment. It was payday. The opportunity to start walking in a career he's had a passion for since he was a child.

This past week was student leader move-in week at the school. Yesterday was move-in day. My office works tirelessly for that moment (and countless moments past move-in day); we've worked all spring and summer  to get ready for the next academic year. Move-in day is payday. The day where we meet the students we've prayed for and prepared for their arrival. As I spoke with student after student, I found myself moved to sentimental emotions over the awesome opportunity I've been given to be a part of their life - in a conversation, in a session, in a greeting.

Last night, Coach T and I went on a date (we have barely spoken in a week and a half! We've been working late, going to sleep earlier, and leaving before the other has a chance to say more than 'good morning'). We caught up on our weeks, how work has been and all the great moments the days have held. We started talking about the weeks quiet moments with our Heavenly Father, where we shared the whispers and reminders of our callings and excitement over our purpose to be right where we are. We were brought to tears. It was amazing that through our disconnect this week, we were both being assured of the place God has us. It was payday.

Many in my generation are quick to see the greener grass. Facebook is constantly reminding us of what others are doing or accomplishing making us feel we are behind. We see everyone who is successful and we forget what kind of quiet moments with the Father they may have gone through or what not-so-glamorous weeks (or years) they had to go through to get to that point. Or maybe they haven't had either, but regardless, I wouldn't trade my experience for anything.

I had a professor in college who consistently shared a motto: "Are you on  your way to ministry, or are you ministering on your way?" Everyone who had ever taken him for a class usually repeated the slogan with a laugh because of his faithful presentation of the thought. He told the class he frequently has former students write to tell him they now know what he meant by that phrase. Fast forward years later, I was writing to tell him the very same thing. It's easy for us to be in a rush to reach a place where all the hard work is done. But I'm learning it should never be done - not as a believer and not in my calling. I don't want to rush and miss all the good God has for right now. He shaping me still, and in the busy I hope Coach T and me remember the most important things.

Luke 10:33 "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was..."

I'm not on my way to some form of greatness where I merely choose to do something if I feel like it, but should always be mindful of ministering on my way. Wherever God leads me and wherever He has me, my hope is that I take time to have that conversation with someone who needs to be reminded of how faithful God is, who needs to be encouraged that no height, no depth could ever separate us from the love of our Heavenly Father, that I'm slow to begrudge or rush the role I'm in and that I am quick to work with all my might.

It might mean I'm not rolling in the millions. But I can't take it with me anyway.

Road Trips

Road trip (n): A vacation or sudden trip involving travel on the road -

interstates, highways, or back roads

TC and I absolutely love traveling; we even love the road trip part. Most likely it’s because they’ve become second nature to us.

From the time we started dating in 2008 (we met in 2006) until now (3 years into our marriage), we’ve traveled over 30,000 miles – and that’s just the trips we can remember with both of us in the car (not counting our individual trips or flights). This happens when your families live 13 hours apart, you meet in a city that’s over 5 hours from back home and your friends are from all over the country. We’ve road tripped with friends and traveled to see their families from Washington, Vermont, Alabama and Ohio to Florida, you definitely cover some ground.

After traveling 34,314 miles, you learn to entertain yourself in the car. For example, last year we caravanned to Nashville with my family. Because we were all going our separate ways on Christmas day, we could not share a vehicle. I tried to get creative on how we could still stay connected with each other. I decided I would work on the props for our  Christmas Eve photo booth and entertain the family as we rode. Hilarious. Conversation and fun for me, TC and our travel buddies.  

We’ve played all kind of car games. Asking “brick or wood”, “soccer or football”, “blue or yellow” is now the radio tune when things start to get too quiet. We’ve dreamed on car rides. We’ve reminisced on car rides. We’ve shared thoughts, feelings, fears and hopes on car rides. We’ve taken scenic detours (what’s a 30 minutes or 10 more miles in the grand scheme of things?). We’ve laughed, cried, prayed, and sat in silence.  

We typically don’t fight about driving. In fact, I’ve never met a better travel buddy. We don’t stress out if we take the wrong turn. That’s because Trent drives. I navigate. And if we get off course, we know we will eventually get back on track and maybe see something unexpected on the way.

Typically road trips mean it's vacation. So we count the driving part as a break too. We’ve collected quite a few tips for making our trips fun, so we thought we’d share with you...

·       Pick. Are you the driver, navigator, activity planner?

·       Locate. Find markers that you can look forward to in order  to help determine travel time remaining. It always helps us gauge our travel.

·       Stop. See what fun stops are along the way. We recently stopped at Noccalula Falls on a trip to Tennessee last week because it’s less than five minutes from the interstate. We stretched our legs, read some history and took pictures for the memory books. Try it…

 

·       Read. Find a book you both are interested in (somebody will have to read out loud or listen to a book on tape), and make it a conversation starter (TC doesn’t LOVE to read….but he LOVES reading, cue me)

·       Research. With smart phones around these days, the road trip can be more than its even been- Research! The passenger(s) research NOT the driver. When we are headed through a city or traveling to a city, we will research what significant historical events occurred locally, find major landmarks, and research what they are known for.

·       Play. Name that tune, Going on a Picnic, Find the Alphabet…create your own game. These pass a lot of  time.

·       Eat. We usually don’t take snack if we can afford it in our budget because it give us a great excuse to wake-up. However, don’t get caught hungry…hungry equals grumpy and road trips are 10x better if everyone is happy.

·       Stay. If you have to stay overnight en route, find a local place for dinner or breakfast- might as well make the most of it. Don’t pressure yourself to make the trip in one day if conditions are not conducive.

·       Pack. A camera, a phone charger, a GPS (smart phone, map, GPS), layers or blankets in case your travel buddy is colder or hotter than you, snacks if you need them and a great attitude.  I promise you - whatever attitude you pack will make or break a trip. I've been broken down on the side of the road on a trip more times that I have fingers. I've always made it to my destination and met pretty great people in the process. Make the breakdowns adventures too; though I highly recommend getting roadside assistance. Side note: I don’t take a pillow for the trip because I try to make it my goal to help the driver stay awake…the older I get, it’s a little harder to stay awake, but I imagine it is for TC too).

·       Enjoy! Have fun! These can be the moments that make life an adventure.

Every couple has their areas of tension…so if yours is traveling, hopefully this can help. P.S. I realize there are no kids in our current travel...without a doubt it makes a difference, though I'd like to think this is still entirely possible. Perhaps more patience on the road will be needed once we have children?   

Our next road trip is in a week….

Happy Anniversary

A letter to my love.

Happy Anniversary, TC!

It seems crazy to think it has already been two years. I don't know how I could possibly put into words everything I've learned, like and love about us - about you. Thank you for being the man and husband you have been these past two years. I wrote a letter this past weekend to a friend trying to share all the things I've learned about marriage in just two years. I'm thankful I could share the things I did with her. Thankful that through the good times we love deeply and celebrate. Thankful that through tough times we love even deeper and get even stronger. Thankful God is always at the center.

These are the words I think about when I think about us:

Love Friendship Romance Intimacy Forgiveness Humility Laughter

Kindness Gentleness Honor Respect Memories Hope Trust

Faith Prayer Smiles Dreams Dating Protective Perseverence

Communication Service Giving Sacrifice Committment Appreciation Gratitude

Adventure Creativity Encouragement

I could have wrote pages on each one.

Thank you for being the husband God called you to be and showing me what it means to have those words be a part of our marriage. I'm so happy I married my best friend on June 5, 2010. It's as wonderful as I always dreamed.

 I love you and I always, always will.

"Grow old... with me, the best is yet to be..."

I love you, TC. To the moon and back.
Hurry home to me!

Rehearsal Dinner Memory

Two years ago tonight (speechless!) TC and I were getting ready for our wedding day at our rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. All of our best friends and family were there to celebrate...We LOVED our rehearsal night. And I love reflecting, part of the reason I blog, so tonight I spent the evening going through photo albums. I added a pic from our perfect rehearsal dinner (a little blurry). And since TC is not here, it seems like a perfect way to spend the evening. Happy almost Anniversary, love!

Found another! But I have to give credit to my Sarah Rose for this one :)

Flannanigans

Flannanigans (n.): Silly or excited behavior while wearing flannel.

"You've made this a Christmas to remember, Springtime feelin's in the middle of December... Oh! What a Christmas to remember." - Christmas to Remember sung by Dolly Parton

We made our way to Gatlinburg today after spending the night with the family in Chattanooga. In a flannel adorned, semi-caravan, we found our cabin nestled in the east end of Gatlinburg. The overcast sky and smoky, mist laden mountains welcomed us to a Christmas already unforgettable. Our three story cabin gives us breath-taking views of God's magnificent creativity. Housed inside is a dream come true. This side of the family has wanted to rent a cabin for Christmas for years. After our Disney World Christmas was such a huge success, another venture was soon to come.

We arrived to an undecorated nest, but not for long. Each of us fell into stride hanging lights and trimming the tree. We've never decorated all together (TN and AL family). Christmas aromas quickly filled the air, presents settled around the room and Christmas movies and music sounded from around. "There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy... It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives, these wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives!"

So thankful TC and I are healthy to enjoy this Christmas. So thankful he's creating this memory with me. So thankful for a family that embraces all Christmas truly means.