The Mrs.: December 2010

It’s that time of the year - the time where all the new fad diets come out and everyone strives to lose their holiday pounds. My resolution(s) this year are slightly different than many I have made in the past. Over the years I have said I was going to go on unruly, unachievable diets. I’ve strived to do things that were not fun or interesting. This year I am going to put forth an effort to make a difference in someone else’s life, not just my own. My friend, Jenn Ingram, and I have made an effort to start up a group called ACTeens in our church. It is for teenage girls, and the ministry is mission-oriented. The past few months have been introductory, but in 2011 we aim to really get involved with our church & our community as a group. I will strive to invest in the girls of this group and make a difference in their life. I commit to sticking by their side through the good times and the bad. I’m not going to give up on them if they are lead astray. I plan on challenging them, and (hopefully) teaching them a thing or two.

I also want to pick up a new hobby in 2011! I’m not exactly certain what it is going to be, but I have a few in mind. I have this small sewing set my grandmother gave me years ago that hasn’t even left the box. I saw it a few days ago and thought about picking up sewing. I’ve never really sewn anything but a button. I did take Mrs. Tidwell’s “home ec” and make some pajama pants and a “quillow.” Maybe I can do this… Who knows? I do have a lot of fabrics left over from the wedding reception. I don’t really have any other ideas… especially because most hobbies are quite expensive and time consuming. I already enjoying painting and dancing….

Speaking of dancing, I also plan on enrolling in a modern dance class. Because most classes don’t restart until May, this will not be acted upon immediately. Dancing relieves my stress and is a way I can express myself more than anything else.

RJ and I have made a resolution to complete 8 devotions/books together in 2011. Most devotions are approximately 6 weeks, so that gives us a little bit of wiggle room. First on the list (he doesn’t know it yet) is a book called The First Five Years given to us by an old friend Keri Flowers. We began reading it a while back, but this season is really busy for us merging two families during Christmas-time and we haven’t been able to stick with our readings. We have also decided to have an adventure day once a month! On day a month we are going to go to a new place, or try something new! Whether it be hiking, driving to a random city, or just trying a new restaurant, we will “venture-out” once a month!

Anniversary

One month ago today I married my best friend.

This has been the best month of my life!

My life is a dream come true. Of course, life isn’t always a fairy-tale, but I wouldn’t rather travel the road of life with anyone but MY husband. I have so much fun with him, and everyday is unique in its own way. He are amazing: perfectly made for me from God. I look forward to all of our adventures together! I love you RJ!

A Festive Weekend

This weekend was amazing! It was very busy, but very fun filled.

Friday night RJ and I got to have dinner with his parents & siblings. We ate wings, cut up, and just had a good ‘ole time.

Saturday was great! Early that morning my hubs got up and cooked me breakfast! That was so much fun, and we had a good time together! We then walked to the church in our sweats lookin’ a hot mess to practice our parts as Mary and Joseph (again). At this point, we were very excited and honored to portray the couple in our choir’s Christmas Cantata. It was such an emotional time for Mary and Joseph as they learned the impact their life was going to have, even though they did not even comprehend the capacity of their decisions to obey and be faithful. Mary was actually scared. She was scared that Joseph would reject her and have her killed, but he accepted her, embraced her, and aided her. In the cantata I was also very proud to portray the Mary who followed her son to Calvary as he hung on the cross. It was such an emotional role that I had to force back tears the entire time. Everyone said that the message from our human video was great, but I really hope they got it. I pray that everyone is focusing on our Lord and Savior more than ever this season. I have so much to be thankful for. I have so much to live for. My Lord has come, died, and risen. What more could I ask for? My Jesus is alive and real! Amen? This season my prayer for all my friends and family is that they focus on why we celebrate. It is so easy to get off track with the schedules and gifts that we forget the whole reason why we should be joyous! Ok… I’m off my soap box… back to my weekend…

After going home and sprucing up I had the joy of going with my sister to Best Buy. She bought her very first professional camera. I’m so excited for her! She has dreamed of this day for so long! Morgan is hoping to start taking pictures for people and eventually turn it into a paying hobby. She got a Nikon d3000, and it is a beauty! She took it with us to Callaway Gardens and got to learn about taking moving pictures at night. The Fantasy in Lights show was beautiful! It was pretty much the same as last year, but it took me back. First it took me back to last year, before RJ and I were engaged, when we decided to make this our family tradition. Second, it took me back to a simpler day. I reminisced of cold Christmas nights with my mom, dad, and sister driving around and looking at light displays. I remembered a time when everyone came to Mamaw and Papaw’s house on Christmas (no questions asked). I remember shopping with Mamaw on base and looking at all the beautiful dolls. I remember helping her wrap hundreds of presents. I thought of days out in the country at Granny and Pop’s house putting up the Christmas tree and the long line of stockings that hung across the room. I remember joking with Uncle Carey because he always had the video camera. I remember ignoring the cold to play in the tree house Pop built me one year. I remember thinking my Pop was Santa, because he sounded just like him when he chuckled. I wish things were simple like when I was a child, but Christmas allows me to be nostalgic and feel like a child again. It also makes me look forward to providing wonderful Christmas memories for my own children in years to come. So, if you are bogged down with the hustle and bustle of Christmas, do things that you enjoyed when you were a child. Fill up the car, pop in a Christmas CD, drive around and look at the beautiful decorations! Ya know what else helps? Singing those Christmas songs! On the Jolly Trolley at Callaway that takes you through the Light show, they play music and encourage you to sing the carols. Singing those carols simply makes everything go away, and for a short minute, you can feel like a kid again. Yes, it’s out of your comfort zone, but you should just do it! It works, I promise! I had such a good time singing carols with my husband, sister, and Garrett.

Sunday morning was our Christmas Cantata. The choir did such a great job, and I enjoyed so much getting to play a part in it! I was able to fight back the tears and worship my Lord during it. I really thought about Mary and how she must‘ve felt. Then I thanked God for sending His precious son to the earth for us. We then had a great lunch with RJ’s family, and continued on to take an updated Volnoff Family Picture! That night at church we had a local bluegrass group, The Kempters, come and do a Christmas show for us. They are so talented and spiritual. If you ever get a chance to see them, even if you don’t like bluegrass, you should go. They are very entertaining!

This weekend was superb! I couldn’t have asked for anything more… ok maybe another day or two ;)

With faithful leaves unchanging.

With faithful leaves unchanging…

I have been curious lately about why we decorate Christmas trees in our home during the holidays. If you think about it… it is pretty random. The history of the Christmas tree goes all the way back to ancient Egyptians. They believed that their sun god, Ra, became weak around this time of year, so they brought palms into their homes to give him strength. Ancient Romans also brought evergreens into their homes and temples to honor their god of agriculture. In many countries it was believed that evergreens warded off evil such as witches and demons and symbolized eternal life.

Germany is credited with the Christmas tree tradition that we are most familiar with. They would place trees inside their homes, or just outside their door, as they looked forward to the upcoming spring. Martin Luther was the first to light the evergreen. He was walking through the woods and saw the snowy trees that were glowing from the moonlight. In order to bring that aura into his home, he placed candles on the tree in order symbolize Christ’s birth (sounds dangerous to me… put fire on a TREE?).

German immigrants brought the tradition to the Americas. In 1851 a farmer, Mark Carr, hauled two oxen sleds in to New York City and sold every single one. By 1900 20 percent of America had Christmas trees in their homes; furthermore, in the 1920’s the tradition was a widespread custom.

Some say that the tree is a symbol of the tree of life. The Christmas tree has also brought about a bit of controversy. Isaiah 55 13 states that an evergreen is a sign of the Lord and should not be cut off. I feel that it is simply stating that the messiah will live forever. Jeremiah 15 refers to people cutting trees down, crafting and adorning it with silver and gold. Certain religions believe this is a reference to the Christmas tree and that the Protestant tradition is wrong.. I feel it is a reference to worshiping idols because it continues to say “their idols cannot speak.” Seems pretty explicit to me.

So, as you adore your tree this year, why don’t you sit back and think about what it means to you? Does it inspire memories of decorating as a child? Does it remind you of all the presents that will pour from underneath? Or, does it remind you of the birth of Jesus? In your home, is your Christmas tree a tradition of family? When you think about it – garnishing your Christmas tree could very well be an act of worship.

Dear Lord,

Forgive me for getting caught up in the worldly traditions. As I put up my tree I did not reflect on you and your birth. I simply did it because… well I don’t know why I put it up. I pray that you will now be honored by our tree and that it will represent your and your light. The evergreen represents you and the gift of eternal life. May you be honored and glorified! Thank you so much for coming to the world for us. I love you Jesus!

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe, after all we've projected,
A child in a manger?
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl -
Just a child -
Is this who we've waited for?
lyricsmode

Give credit where credit is due:

History.com

Christmas-Tree.com

A little bit of venting..

I’m sitting here at work slightly jaded (and menstrual) as I browse the internet. One of my favorite sites to visit during slow days at work is etsy. In case you aren’t familiar with etsy, it is a web host for small (…and not so small) businesses (…and grandmaws) to sell their cute (and not so cute) items. I love to browse through and look at all the people’s homemade items. I’m sitting here in jealousy of all of these people who are living out their dreams and doing what they love for a living.

I’m so happy with my life right now, but one area that could use some tweaking is my career. I’m no where near where I thought I would be in my career. I’m so glad. Yesterday I was talking with a dear co-worker about life. She is young with three children. She got pregnant months after marrying and had all three children within a short amount of time. She was pregnant with her first child upon graduating college. My co worker explained her pre-mommy dreams to me and then compared them to her current goals. She continued to explain to me something that I have recently began to realize. Your dreams and goals change dramatically when you finally find that true love. Then, they alter even more the moment that tiny hand grabs hold of yours. Years ago I would have cried myself to sleep had someone told me that I wouldn’t be in grad school. Here I am not attending school, not working in accounting, and I’m not advancing towards my CPA. Guess what? I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I adore my simple life. My goals have changed. My dreams have changed. I now dream of late nights in pajamas cuddled up with my hubby, puppy, and a good movie. I dream of travelling with my husband. I dream of starting a family. I dream of crafting and painting… and doing all of those wifely things. Yes, I’m still a career woman at heart, but I’ve hung up my business suit for a while. I will be fully satisfied if my career NEVER reaches management levels as I have always desired.

As many of you know last term (Aug-Oct) I was a basket case. My academics ruled my world. I didn’t love it, but I thought it was what “defined me.” As the wedding drew closer and closer, the Lord began to tug on my heart. I began to feel like I wanted to QUIT. I just wanted to throw my hands up and surrender. I continued to beat myself up and call myself lazy. I thought I was just making excuses. One night while worshiping with youth from all across the county, the Lord called out to me. He told me that I was not defined my accomplishments or failures. He told me that I was not defined by my academic ability. I felt embraced and began to sob. It was at that moment that I realized I NEEDED to “quit.” I was not fulfilling my calling. I broke the news to RJ who welcomed the idea and fully supported my decision. He, too, felt like this was the Lord’s will for me. I was heartbroken, though. My grades defined me. It was that night that I realized what I was truly defined by. My love for the Lord defines me. My desire to serve Him and to love His people is what defines me.

Until October of this year, I’ve never NOT been a student. I went to college straight from high school, and did not stop after I got my degree. For some people, dropping out of school IS the easy way out. This was not easy for me. In October of 2010, I did the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I did not register for classes for the first time ever! School was my comfort zone. I had to step out and literally sacrifice my career. I’ve handed it over to God, and He is now in control. Because I have put a hold on my school (and consequently my career), I am now able to be a better wife, sister, and most importantly a better servant for Jesus. I am able to enjoy my relationship with RJ. I do not have to “pencil in” time for him as I did when I was in school. I’m able to serve alongside him at our church and love on the girlies in our youth group. I’m available to them whenever they may need to call, text, or just have a good cry. I love the youth, but I also cherish my church family now more than ever.

If you are reading this and you don’t understand, or cannot follow it. Don’t worry – I wrote for me, and I now feel much better.

Christmas Tree...CHECK!

I met my goal of putting up our Christmas tree by the weekend! It was completed Friday night. I’m so proud of myself, too! All that we had to purchase was a stocking for RJ, a few ornaments, a tree stand, and the ($18) tree itself! Last year after Christmas I hit up all the fifty and seventy five percent off racks of holiday décor. I decorated our apartment with all of these items! I even have gift wrapping supplies! Because penguins don’t match too well with everything else, all of the penguin stuff is in the kitchen. It was so fun opening the bin that I had not seen in a year! It was like shopping all over again! We had a crazy experience with our tree, though!

We bought our tree on Thursday night from Marvin’s. The genius guy who worked at the hardware store tied RJ’s door shut when he fastened the tree to the roof of the car. RJ had to climb inside the passenger side. If you know RJ, you know that he is like 6’3’’. His long lanky legs trying to squeeze in his tiny KIA were just a perfect picture of our first Christmas tree adventure! We laughed so hard! Once we got the tree in the house, we began to embellish it with white lights. We stopped there because it was late, and we wanted to allow time for the limbs to fall a little bit. Laila was very curious about the tree. She sat and stared at it for a few minutes turning her head to and fro, barked a few times, and now we cannot keep her out from underneath it!

The tree was fully decorated Friday night before our rehearsal for the children’s musical (we were Mary and Joseph). I put up all the decorations around our home, and it feels like a Christmas Home now! We bought some Yankee Candle “Christmas Tree” candles to enhance the aroma from tree, so it smells nice, too!

Check out a few pictures below...