Sweet weddings

Did I ever tell you that I love weddings? Because I do. :)

Yesterday my sweet friends Amy and Jeremy got married and it was beautiful. And fun. A perfect mix of both.

I loved getting to be a part of this! It was also so sweet to be reunited with old friends and to spend time with them over the past few days leading up to the wedding.

I was honored to be involved in baking cupcakes for the reception, as well as just getting to see how everything came together.

Thursday I went over to Amy's apartment to help decorate/assemble the cupcakes. Her family and friends tackled 260 cupcakes in 2 1/2 hours. I would say that's an accomplishment.

Another thing I loved about her wedding is that they did it all themselves with the help of family and friends. The decorations, setting up/tearing down, flowers, music, cupcakes and SO many other things that I'm sure I'm missing.

It was beautiful to watch friends and family rally around this couple to support them, to work together to do the preparations and decorations and so many things surrounding the wedding. I just kept admiring this and being thankful that I got to see something so harmonious.

I also kept admiring Amy's poise. Every time I saw her, she seemed so calm and went with the flow. It was also priceless to see the excitement she and Jeremy had to be with one another.

Yay weddings :) Yay friends, yay family, yay homemade and beautiful things.

confession

I love to bake.

Usually I am a cookie and bar girl.

But macarons have taken over my life.

That's the only thing I want to bake now.

Yikes.

five random loves

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1. Macarons

I have become slightly obsessed with making macarons . . . ever since I tried them for the first time at La Farm, I was on a mission. Biscoff, red velvet, chocolate with vanilla buttercream . . . wondering what new flavor to make next :)

2. Miranda

My roommate discovered this British comedy. I am really particular about what shows I like, and this one won me over . . . I laugh out loud every time. It doesn't help that we watched all 18 episodes in a span of 7 days (thanks, hulu), but the episodes are still entertaining the second time around :)

3. Natalie Grant - Hurricane

I bought this album on a whim last Monday and I don't regret it one bit. I love Natalie Grant anyway, and this album is wonderful :)

4. A Pink Ladder

My mom surprised me at Christmas by not only buying me a badly needed stepladder, but also by sanding it down and painting it pink with glitter. ah ma-zing. It's wonderful to change your air filters without the fear of waking up in the neuro ICU with a head injury.

5. Sync Cycle

Ever since a co-worker told me about this, I've been hooked. Spin is my favorite workout and this takes it to the next level. It's the only reason I would dare to wake up at 5am on my days off. Insanity, yes . . . but I just love it.

Five random loves

 

1. the crock pot!

Nothing says you're growing up like getting legitimately thrilled to get appliances for Christmas. But seriously - who doesn't love a practical gift?

2. Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookies.

These babies are sweet little pieces of goodness that are ground up to produce heaven in a jar, AKA cookie butter. (don't let me purchase this, it will be gone in a week). Perhaps the non-spreadable version will be a little healthier. Or so I will tell myself.

3. Stress-free butternut squash.

It's nice when you can enjoy the sweet, buttery deliciousness of this squash without risking your right arm/finger/sanity in prepping it for use.

4. Breaking Free from Strongholds by Dr. Eric Mason.

I was listening to this in my car today and it is filled with truth that I need to hear. Here are a few nuggets:

"You know you’re deep in a stronghold when you can’t see life beyond where you are. But . . . God doesn’t let your stronghold get in the way of him coming to you.

Salvation is about God coming after people who couldn’t come after him.

One of the beautiful things about encountering God is our mess doesn’t surprise him.   

I like the fact that God does not, when he comes around, just focus on our sins only. What an encounter with God is about is showing you what you must turn from and also whom you turn to. That’s very important in the gospel. And what’s beautiful about being in Christ is he not only shows you where you are, he calls you beyond where you’re not. He calls him a mighty man of valor.

God doesn’t see us merely where we are, but he sees us in what it looks like when he gets to us, and change happens.

That’s what I like about being in Christ: God is always pushing his people forward to be what he wants them to be and casting vision. If God just comes to us in our strongholds and doesn’t cast a vision of what we can be in him but only casts a vision of where we are, we’re in big, deep trouble."

All of this is such good news, especially since I have been feeling like and acting like a hot mess this past week. So thankful that God comes to us in our hot mess, walks with us, uses us and changes us so patiently and faithfully.

I was also reading a devo this morning that reminded me . . . no matter what tomorrow brings, God will still be God and He does not change. He is walking with you and will provide for you - He just calls us to trust Him one moment at a time. That sounds so simple, but in my moments of anxiety, I imagine the future as the worst possible scenario without God in the midst of it. 

5. Flowers . . . they always brighten an otherwise gloomy or sad day.

And I will leave with these lyrics from one of my favorite songs. Because I need to hear these words, and maybe you do too :)

I wake up to another day
I don't know if I can face
All the fears that are staring me down
I'm trying to be brave
But I'm a thread about to fray
I wanna stand but I don't know how

I look up and all I see is Your love holding me
When I feel like giving up
When my heart is hurt too much
Feels like I've reached the end
No, I won't turn and run
This battle will be won
When I've done all I can
I stand

Some days I lose my place
It's a fight to keep my faith
But You are with me, I am not alone, no
But all around my world gives way
Toss like an ocean wave
You are my rock and the storm clouds blow

On Your promise I will stand
All other ground is sinking sand

"Stand" Britt Nicole