Hiking the Rose River Trail

First of all, I have to point out something - the shirt Dean has on in the above photo is not UF orange & blue, but simply a plaid shirt featuring Auburn colors. Just to be clear :) #truenole

As I sit here typing this, it's snowing outside! But on Saturday, the weather was absolutely great & we met up with several of my Small Group ladies & Matt, one of our friends from Dean's Small Group for a hike through Shenandoah National Park!

We had the best time exploring the 4-mile trail. AND there are waterfalls along the way!! Major score!

I adore these girls!! So much joy all around :)

If you looked in the dictionary under "apple-bottom jeans," I'm convinced there would be this photo of my hubby :)

Happy trails to you! HA major cheese but it's what stuck in my head right now ... "Until weeee meeeet agaaaaaaain!"

Baltimore Getaway

"Chickens don't have fingers." Have you ever stopped to think about that? You know, as you're ordering or hear someone else ordering this dish at a restaurant? Me neither. Until, Alton Brown, that is.

This, y'all, is just one of the hilarious memories from Dean & I's weekend trip to Baltimore. He's a big fan of the Good Eats founder & Food Network host so I surprised him with tickets to see his Edible Inevitable Tour last month. I have to admit, although we didn't really know what to expect from Mr. Brown's live tour, the night was pretty great! Basically, he talked about & did all the things they don't allow him to do on TV - like make pizzas in a giant Easy Bake oven & rant about his Top 10 Things He's Pretty Sure He's Sure About Food. So fun!

Before the show, we spent the afternoon exploring the city & grabbing lunch by the Inner Harbor. The waterfront was gorgeous - & made me miss Florida's sandy shores so much.

"The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea." Isak Dinesen

A bridal shower ... Surprise!!

Sitting in the dark, trying too hard not to giggle, we saw the apartment door open slowly. And then close. When it reopened the second time, a silhouette peeked inside & made her way into the unlit room.

"SURPRISE!!!"

In a typical we're-so-excited-and-we-just-can't-hide-it fashion, the Small Group girls gathered in Juli's living room last week had trouble deciding what to collectively yell as soon-to-be married Sabrina came through the door with Brie in tow (sneaky dinner plans to throw off any suspicion? check!) but settled on the ever classic S word.

And she was so surprised!! Apparently, this may have been one of the first times *ever* that Sabrina's actually been surprised so we'll take it :)

Not only is Sabrina in my Small Group through MBC Arlington, she's one of our spring LMP brides! (See her & David's sweet, romantic engagement photos are here!!)

We had so much fun showering (I KNOW, I know, terrible pun...) Sabrina with love, prayer, marriage advice & lots of hugs!

How great are the decorations?! Angela, you may have found your new calling in bridal banners, photo displays & cupcakes :) :)

We're so excited for March 29!! It's coming up soon :)

February Gratefulgrams

"You can't be fearful & be grateful simultaneously." Tony Robbins

I love when I can take the opportunity & sloooow down. Really sit still, sip on a big mug of caffeinated goodness & reflect on life. Y'all, how can we be grateful for things we didn't even recognize happened? How many wonderful blessings have I received or answered prayers that just passed me by?

But not today - I'm not allowing comparison to be a joy stealer & I'm not allowing a hurried day to get in the way of practicing contentment. "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, & we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food & clothing, with these we will be content." {1 Timothy 6:6-8}

1. Learning to say YES & NO to things in my life. / 2. Receiving the sweetest mail from dear friends. / 3. Reflecting upon God's Word. / 4. Celebrating love with my love. / 5. The opportunity to share beautiful stories of love. / 6. Our church turns 7! 

What I'm saying yes & no to

"Live in grace where the journey is the destination."
Lara Casey

Sometimes goal setting can be really frustrating. Like the times you don't hit the deadline or finish that certain task when you had hoped to, it can feel pretty crummy. Being a recovering perfectionist doesn't help matters. Hi, my name is Lorin & I really like things to be done perfectly.

This is not something I've always been aware of. Growing up, I procrastinated as a way of not dealing with the feeling that something had to be done 100%-completely-to-perfection. If I only had 30 minutes to do something, then I couldn't feel like I was failing or letting myself down because, well, that's all the time I had. Pretty silly when I look back at it. All that rug sweeping. Just push all those thoughts & feelings under this humongo area rug & it's like they've disappeared.

Not quite. But I spent much of high school & college with this mindset. Over the past couple years, the Lord has put so many different influences in my life that have helped reshape how I view the life He's given me, time, resources & perfection. Spending each morning in the Word really helps me deal with the perfection problem. Hello, imperfect people that God used all the time! Seriously it's so humbling to be reminded that I can't do anything to save myself or even get to the point of perfect but that's where Jesus stepped in. His perfection covers my flaws & sets me free to live in grace.

Surrounding myself with godly friends like my Small Group ladies is a huge blessing. Being real with each other about what we're dealing with & struggling to get through is how the Lord intended His body of believers to live! Being married to a God-fearing husband who constantly challenges me to seek the Lord's approval is the best. So thankful for the times he brings me down from cloud perfect to reality & reminds me that it's OK to make a mess. And not reaching every goal doesn't mean it's quitting time! Keep on keepin' on, trusting the Lord with each & every endeavor. Working for His glory & not allowing my self to get in the way.

Lara Casey's PowerSheets give you space to work through the whats of how you'll reach said goals (see more from Lara about this - Steps 8 & 9 - here). What you're saying YES to. What you will be saying NO thank you very much to. Creating a Making Things Happen Pinterest board was a huge visual aid to piecing together vision for this year. 

What things do you need to leave in the dust? And what do you want to do more of, be more about this year? 

What I'm saying NO to:

> regret
> too much PC time
> what ifs
> doubting the Lord
> FEAR! the enemy's lies!
> procrastinating
> striving for perfection
> unnecessary apologies
> assuming the worst
> SELF
> anger
> anxiety/failure
> jealousy/comparison
> too many sweets
> CONTROL
> random spending
> trying to earn love
> people pleasing 

What I'm saying YES to:

> taking risks!
> being present
> listening well
> 100% reliance on God
> FAITH! God's truths!
> setting myself up for success
> doing the best I can with what I have & leave the results to God
> speaking life-giving words {Psalm 19:14}
> assuming the BEST & asking the Lord for discernment
> OTHERS
> creating a peaceful home
> contendedness
> the peace of God & true rest
> encouraging others
> more good-for-you foods
> SURRENDER
> budgeting well
> giving more
> resting in God's love
> GOD-pleasing