Good Friday

I got this from DesiringGod. It's a post that John Piper did titled "Conversation with Death on Good Friday"



CHRISTIAN:
Hello, Death, my old enemy. My old slave-master. Have you come to talk to me again? To frighten me?
I am not the person you think I am. I am not the one you used to talk to. Something has happened. Let me ask you a question, Death.
Where is your sting?

DEATH, sneeringly:
My sting is your sin.

CHRISTIAN:
I know that, Death. But that’s not what I asked you. I asked, where is your sting? I know what it is. But tell me where it is.Why are you fidgeting, Death? Why are you looking away? Why are you turning to go? Wait, Death, you have not answered my question. Where is your sting?
Where is, my sin?What? You have no answer? But, Death, why do you have no answer? How will you terrify me, if you have no answer?

O Death, I will tell you the answer. Where is your sting? Where is my sin? It is hanging on that tree. God made Christ to be sin—my sin. When he died, the penalty of my sin was paid. The power of it was broken. I bear it no more.Farewell, Death. You need not show up here again to frighten me. God will tell you when to come next time. And when you come, you will be his servant. For me, you will have no sting.

O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

Engagement Day Photos

Today is the two year anniversary of when Patrick and I started dating. These days are so fun for me to look back on. They fill my heart with warm joy. haha warm joy. I know I'm silly.

So here are pictures from the day Patrick proposed. He was in D.C. doing an internship at CHBC and I went up to visit with his family on their spring break. I, of course, was wishing and hoping that he would propose soon but had talked myself out of it. I knew that this would be my last trip before he came home so I wanted to simply enjoy all of it and not be disappointed if he didn't propose.

That morning we all got up and went on a walk around the monuments and tidal bason and admired all the beautiful cherry blossoms.

I love this picture of his mom. We were all resting and waiting to meet up with his sister and dad and Diane decided she'd take this time to do some stretching. This picture perfectly captures her flamboyant personality.

After we walked around the bason, we went home and I scurried to get all dressed up for dinner. I thought we were only going dinner. (Side note: Patrick had this whole thing planned out so well. He had contacted my sister and had her ship up a dress, shoes, necklace and earings for me to wear to dinner. This was all supposed to be a suprise but I kinda ruined it.) Anyway so we go to dinner at 1789. It's a real historic type of restaurant and we felt slightly out of place by how formal it was. It was great though.

I know this picture is really small, but this is the room we ate in.

We had a romantic dinner with good conversation and then left to go somewhere, I had no idea where. Patrick and I pulled up to this beautiful place.

The Naional Cathedral. We walked around and made our way to the Bishop's garden. I was just admiring how pretty everything was. I wanted to look and flowers and the stone stuff. Well Patrick (knowing his agenda and getting nervous) was hurrying me to get to the gazebo. We walk in and there are candles everywhere with tulips. He turned and grabbed both of my hands. **This is the point where I finally knew what he was doing.** My eyes must have gotten so big! He told me lots of sweet things like that he loved me (this was the first time) and then asked me to marry him I OF COURSE said yes and then we hugged and kissed and enjoyed the moment.

He then told me that there were people there waiting. It was his family. They came running out of the bushes to congratulate us. It was great! Seriously one of the happiest moments ever. His parents had done all the setting upand lit the candles before we got there. Patrick drew a map explaining to them how he wanted it all set up.

Patrick really out did himself. He even had an engagement party planned for afterward. (he was pretty confident I was going to say yes:) )

This night was amazing! I love my husband and am thankful for his creativity and time put into planning sweet moments like these. I'll cherish them forever.

Baby Pic

Here is a picture of Addelynn Gayle she was born the same day as my niece. I'm so happy for my friend Amanda and her husband Thomas**Picture was taken by Amanda's sister Brandi**

Another Baby and an Engagerversary

Turns out that my friend Amanda (whose baby shower pictures are in another post) had her baby girl last night. Addelynn Gayle was born around 11 oclock. Two cute girls in one day...at least these birthdays will be easy to remember in the future:) I'm hoping to get some pictures of her up in the future. This weekend is going to be baby visiting city!

Oh and I forgot to mention that over the weekend Patrick and I celebrated our 1 year engagerversary. Yup a year ago Sunday (April 5th) Patrick asked me to marry him. It was the best question ever. I love Patrick very much and am thankful the Lord has given me such a wonderful leader as a husband! I'll put up some pictures from last year when I get home and tell the story of how he proposed!

The 4th also marked 6 months of being married. Can't believe 6 mos have already gone by.

Week In Review

The past week has been busy. There has been so much going on so I wanted to do a post about the last week so I could remember it all.

• Monday:I can't even really remember-it seems like so long ago. Oh wait, I just remembered Monday I found out they are closing the branch I work at...I'm not sure whats going to happen.
• Tuesday: we both worked and then enjoyed dinner with the Brainards and their new baby Eleanor. This is a family from our church who we have just begun to get to know better. They are a sweet couple and this is their first child.
• Wednesday: I took a half day from work because it was absolutely gorgeous outside and I didn't want to miss out on sunshine. Little did I know that Patrick also got off early so we spent a little of the afternoon together outside getting some sun. I then went to help our friend Annie paint her base boards in their nursery. When I came back Patrick and I went on a (supposed to be) quick run in Cherokee park and were planning on going to church afterward. Well, we locked our keys in the car. So we walked home, tried breaking into our apartment and ended up using our neighbors AAA membership to pop our lock open. I've really been wanting to get to know my neighbor so I am thankful this happened. We ended up having her up for dinner afterward and watched LOST. It was fun!
• Thursday: Worked and then helped some friends move into their new apartment. Went out for pizza and cokes afterward.
  
• Friday: We spent the night doing laundry. This was long overdue. We do our laundry at Patrick's parent's house. My brother, Jordan, joined us for some grilled pork chops and potato soup. Patrick and I watched Australia while doing our laundry.
  
• Saturday: I went to coffee and counseling at church. This is a neat thing our church does one Saturday morning a month. Our counseling pastor meets with all who want to attend and we discuss a topic. This months topic was anger. It was great to meet with other believers and go over what the bible says about anger and how we should counsel others. This lasted till about noon when I had to rush home and straighten up the apartment before some couples were coming over to look at our apartment. They are thinking about moving in the complex. I didn't quite get all the way done with cleaning so they got the dishes all over the counter, trash bags in corner, bath room sink not cleaned look of our apartment. Oh well. After cleaning and doing a tour of the apt I went to a local thrift store and then on a good run. (I have gone running twice this week. I'm really out of shape and am motivated to change that. Hope I keep my motivation.) Some friends from church had a big group of people over to their house for "cards and cornhole." We had a blast. There were a bunch of people from our church that we had yet to get to know and it was great to finally hang out with them. The girls played nertz and I'll just say I'm addicted!!!
• Sunday: We had a great service at church. We worked in the nursery for the first time and enjoyed getting to serve. After lunch I got the call that Loralyn's water broke and that they were in the hospital. We spent most the of the day here and then drove down around 8 oclock. She didn't have the baby until 6:25 am...We should have waited and slept here in our own beds and then gone down this morning to spend time with them. Hind sight's twenty twenty huh. Check out my last post to see beautiful pictures of Claire.
  
• Monday: Worn out! Took day off and slept! Just got done cutting Patrick's hair and now we are watching UNC kill Mich State in the first half... About to hit the sack.
  

She's Here!

Claire Elise Skeeters was born this morning. She weighed in at 7lbs 11oz and 21in long. She's adorable and kept us up all night waiting on her. Loralyn did a great job but was totally exhausted after delivering at 6:25 am. (She originally went in the hospital yesterday around noon time) I think that's like 15/16 hrs in delivery mode. Sheesh. Here are some pictures
Thank you Lord for this precious new life!

There's A Baby On The Way!!

My oldest brother, Micah, and his wife, Loralyn, are expecting their first child. I got a call from my mom after church today saying that Loralyn's water broke!! They were at KFC about to pick up some food and had to leave to head to the hospital. I'm excited to see this new baby!! Her name is Claire Elise and I'm guessing she's going to be beautiful!!!
Here's a pic of her and her mommy.
More to come later!