For the month of May, A Beau Ideal (my headband business) will be giving 10% of it's profits to The Sparrow Fund. An organization that provides financial support for orphans around the world as well as the families adopting them. Check it out!

Moving to DFW

So you know that post that I posted almost a month ago now, about feeling like we were in limbo? Well the limbo continued for another week or so and then the fog began to clear! We just found out last week that we will be moving to the DFW area! I got a job with Gateway Church and couldn't be more excited! All I can say is that the Lord is so very good. Time and time again he blows my mind with how much he is in control of every little situation.

I mentioned in that post about how it was only 3 years ago, around this time, that I was anxiously waiting to get married and move to Waco. I knew at that time that we'd be moving here, but I did not have a job. I was very anxious because I was going to be the sole bread winner with Blake in school. As the moving day got closer and closer, I begin wondering how we'd even be able to pay our deposit. A week before our wedding I got a call about an interview. I drove to Waco a few days later and before I knew it, I had a job! Again....the Lord was in complete control.

This time around I kept in mind the sovereignty of the Lord the last time (and every time for that matter) and attempted to be less anxious and worried. Overall, I have to say, I did a pretty good job. I didn't think about it often and just trusted that the Lord would provide. But I have to admit as the month of May was getting closer, I was starting to get a little nervous. I felt like a little tiny person waving her arms at the sky saying, "God, remember me? Remember how I need to know what your plan for us is so we can move where ever that is??"

The last weekend of February I went to Abilene to have a "girls weekend" with my mom, aunt, sister and grandma. We had so much fun! On the last day before we all parted ways my aunt just happened to mention that my uncle had a position open at the church he worked at. I worked for this church back in 2008 and have always wanted to go back. I remember thinking, "gosh I wish I could apply for that position." I called Blake to see how he was doing and casually mentioned the position. He shocked me by saying, "why can't you apply for it?" I sat there dumbstruck wondering why I couldn't.

For so long, I had viewed our future as being dependent on where ever Blake got a job. I never once thought that I could be looking for a job in the area he was interested in that could support us till he found one. So I talked to my aunt, who then talked to my uncle. He was actually on sabbatical at the time and couldn't talk to anyone at the church until his sabbatical was over. Long story short and many complicated details later, I had to wait about a month and a half before I got any word on whether I got the job.

Blake and I traveled up to the area two weekends ago and were so blessed to find an apartment that we both loved and could afford. The Lord had his hand in it again. We'll be moving up there May 19 and I couldn't be any more excited. It's amazing the way the Lord works. I know there are still many details to be worked out, but I'm just in awe of his gracious kindness and the way he provides time and time again.

Embroidery and Sewing

I've done a few craft/sewing projects lately that I wanted to share! First of all I tried my hand at attempting a Dresden block. I got the pattern from here. It was soooo easy! I enjoyed doing it so much! I think I just might have to do a few more of these. Maybe even a full quilt of these!

There is a new fabric line out by Art Gallery Fabrics called Summerlove that I think would be beautiful in this pattern. The fabric line by Denyse Schmidt called Flea Market Fancy was just recently reprinted. I think I'd like to see that in this pattern too! Ha! Oh the possibilities!

Next I've been seeing all these super cute embroidery hoops on Pinterest, some with embroidery and some with just cute fabric. Believe it or not my little sister decided to try her hand at one of the ones with embroidery. If you know anything about her, you know she does not like doing craft projects of any kind. She did a great job though and I think she really enjoyed herself! Here are a few of mine:

I will be doing a craft fair the day before Easter and I'm kind of thinking of putting some of these guys in my booth to see if they sell. We'll see if I get the motivation to finish off a few more! :)

No Crease Hair Ties

I had to do a little promo today on the blog about the new No Crease Hair Ties that I carry in my online shop A Beau Ideal. They work great for both thick and thin hair! They also look super cute on your wrist when you don't want to wear them, but have a hair tie with you.

Come check them out by visiting my website or etsy page!

limbo

I feel like our life is stuck in a sort of limbo right now. I know I mentioned in one of my earlier posts that we'd be experiencing a lot of changes this year. And we will, but they are very sloooowwwwllly happening. At least for now. Nothing is worse than knowing change is coming, but there's nothing you can do to prepare for it yet.

Like I said in an older post, I'm a planner. I like to look at my future plans and begin working towards them. I know in May we will be moving away from Waco. While we have plans of where we could possibly be moving, there are also other opportunities that are arising. The Lord is really teaching me patience in many ways right now. I know that where ever we go and whatever we end up doing he will take care of us and provide no matter what.

It's funny because I know in about a month and a half life is going to get extremely hectic and busy we we're going to be packing, cleaning, moving and adjusting to a new life. But right now it feels like time is standing still and not moving. The type A, driven side of me wants May to hurry up and get here so I can begin doing something. Anything at all. But for now I must wait.

For now I will enjoy our life in our first apartment in our first city we've lived in together as a married couple. I'll enjoy all the unique areas and locations this small city offers us. It was only three years ago that I was going through these same feelings ready to get to this city and move into our new apartment. Crazy how time flies!

For now I will trust in the Lord and his plans for our future. I can only plan up until May 19 and after that, for now, I don't know where we'll be or what we'll be doing. But for now that will be enough. I will not worry, I will not grow anxious. Or at least, I'll try not too. :) I will choose to live in this moment and not miss the blessings that are all around me.

I will choose to not live as if in limbo, but as if this day is the most important day of my life.

Esther's Quilt

It is finished!!

I'm so happy with it too! Thank you so much to everyone who gave to this family to bring her home. They are actually in Uganda now in the process of bringing her home! Praise the Lord!

Year in a Glance

Well I 've been terrible about posting this year. I try every year to be better, but every year I fail. :) I thought I'd go back and just recount an important or memorable event that happened each month this year.

JANUARY

I bought myself a new computer. (Might not seem like a memorable event for most, but this was huge for me and Blake)

FEBRUARY

Found out that we were going to be an Aunt and Uncle!

MARCH

Went to Disney World with the Penfield family!

APRIL

Attended the first craft show for the year in Ennis, Texas with my mom and sister.

MAY

Saw my little sister graduate from high school!

JUNE

Celebrated our 2nd anniversary!

JULY

Had a bit of a scare when our niece, Cali Jayne, thought she was coming early, but she didn't. Thank God!

AUGUST

Blake started his last year of Law School! I wrecked my car, but was extremely blessed to be safe and have great insurance! :) Was able to get myself a new car!

SEPTEMBER

Celebrated on the first day of the month the birth of our first niece and goddaughter Cali Jayne!!

OCTOBER

Blake's brother married our new sister-in-love Jackie! Also, Blake finished Practice Court 1 and 2, which happens to be the absolute hardest part of law school.

NOVEMBER

Celebrated Thanksgiving with the Gager Family in Uvalde!

DECEMBER

Celebrated Christmas morning with the Penfield Family and then the evening with the Gager's.

It's been a great year. There were definitely times that I felt like Job. In all the blessings there was a multitude of trials. But the Lord stood by us and brought us through every trial into a new blessing. While there were moments where I couldn't see beyond the day or week ahead, it's awesome to look back and see how the Lord helped us through it all.

I know 2012 has a lot of changes ahead. Blake will be graduating and taking the BAR and we will probably be moving away from Waco. I'm a planner and like to know what the plan is for our future. At this moment I honestly can't see past about mid-May. But I know the Lord is in control and will be there every step of the way. I can't wait to see what he has in store!