Wednesday, June 30, 2010

A Post about Nothing

I think I'm blogging just to blog. Because if I wait for something important, this blog will die like my last one did, and I don't really want that, because in the event that something exciting does happen, it's always fun to share it with the world (however small my blogger world is :-P).

Via the last post we are essentially moved in. That means that every box is unpacked, and nearly everything has a spot... except that pile of books and papers that clutter up the kitchen table every day, and the stack of about 50 books that is sitting in the corner of our bedroom. But nevertheless, it feels like a home.

It is not the same as the home I used to know. It cannot even be compared. I am happy here, but I do miss my old home, too.

In trying to get into the swing of life, and find things to do and enjoy together we've started reading through C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. We plowed through the Magician's Nephew in about a week, and are making our way through the classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe now. We're also going through the Trinity Psalter in the hopes that Daniel can somehow teach me how to use my singing voice... **Sigh** There may be some improvement, but it is very little. :) We also started watching Lost the television series on Hulu almost every evening (OK. So, we're 5 episodes and 2 days into... I'm rather hooked.)

Daniel stays busy with working in the RTS library about 15-20 hours a week, and his internship at the church has him teaching Wednesday Bible study all through July, as well as preaching this coming Sunday, and teaching Sunday school. He has a summer student he'll be tutoring for a couple weeks, and is preparing for American Government and Rhetoric in the Fall.

I'm learning my way around Charlotte a lot more quickly than I thought I would. I used up my afternoon yesterday and my morning today driving around town and dropping off resumes at any preschool/daycare/learning center I passed. For now we're just waiting to hear back from the dozens of people I've contacted.

I'm also trying to organize my days during the weeks, so that I can have a more settled schedule. I made up a meal plan list, and have been sticking to that during the week-meatloaf Monday, pasta salad Tuesday, Chicken Caesar salad Wednesday, etc. (Something my mommy taught me. :)) It's been really helpful, and saved us lots of $$ at the grocery store. Monday is baking/cooking, Wednesday is laundry day, Thursday is cleaning, for now. It is so weird not to have laundry to do every day, and even this morning when I sorted it, I felt like we could have gone another week and been fine with what we had, so I combined some clothes and did two loads. Two loads. Mom, can you imagine?? I still don't like cleaning the bathrooms, though. Ick. When Angela and I were little we used to make deals: I would come to her house and do her laundry if she came to mine and did my bathrooms. If we lived closer I would certainly take her up on that offer now. :)

Friday we're driving down to Greenville to meet up with the Best Man, Joe and his girlfriend, and then staying up until the wee hours of the night to await Angela and Peter's arrival, for a fun-filled Independence Day weekend. Pictures to come!

-A.W

Friday, June 25, 2010

Check out our diggz

After two weeks of being home, I am pleased to say everything is finally put away (about). There are still some rough spots, but more or less, everything has a place and that makes me a very happy wife. :)

My grandma wanted to see pictures of our house, so this post is primarily for her. But since all the rest of you might want to know, too, here tis. :)


Guest Bedroom/ Office


Our Bedroom


Kitchen
 


Family Room


So, it's still kind of plain right now, but since we're only permitted to paint if we paint everything back to white when we move out, it'll have to work for the time being. It's cozy, and we have plenty of space. :) I'm thankful that it feels like a house, and not an apartment.
Strangely enough my favorite room is the full bathroom. Mostly because of the gorgeous shower curtain I have! I was finally able to find another valence at Goodwill for $1 to cut in half and sew on each side of the Pier One curtain I already had. Eventually, I want the bathroom to look all Indian (as in India the country) with rich jade tones and lots of gold and bronze. If I could, I'd paint the walls deep purple. For now, it matches the rest of the house... :)




Monday, June 21, 2010

Our Favorite Wedding Present...

My dreams of a Cinderella-like wedding came true June 5th, and one of my dear bridesmaids, Ashley caught this picture right before the wedding ceremony. Too bad I wasn't wearing glass slippers. :)



Wednesday night Lydia, our pastor's daughter gave us this: A mixed media creation of the same photo.


 I could not even begin to explain how she does this, but it is one of her best (and many) talents. The canvas is covered in old book pages, covered with paste and oil paints to make this gorgeous copy. We'd like to get it framed, but for now it's resting on a book shelf with a couple of old Bibles and lots of candles. :)

Thursday, June 17, 2010

We Have a Neice!

She's here!
Savannah Jane Polsgrove
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
8lbs 7 oz 20 inches long


Indescribable, uncontainable

What a whirlwind of excitement, joy and change these last two weeks have been! I can't believe we've been married for almost two whole weeks. It has flown by. And our marriage is not the only thing that's transpired... while we were honeymooning my sister (newly married in December to her own Prince Charming) found out that she's pregnant, and expecting February 25th next year! On top of that, as I write, Daniel's sister, Rebecca, could very well be delivering her first baby. The little one (whose gender is still unknown) was due last Thursday, and has made his/her momma very tired these extra 7 days, so we are all hoping for a baby ASAP.

Our wedding was a fairy tale. Everything I had hoped for came true. I have beautiful memories flooding my mind constantly, as I remember the day. I'll wait to tell more until I have pictures to post with it... hoping for those soon!

Honeymooning is a splendid idea. We were blessed with 7 days in rocky Colorado to relax, enjoy each other, and just be together. (Again, more with the pictures).

What I really wanted to write about this morning, was the overwhelming sense of God's goodness we both experienced last night. As is Daniel's custom, we headed to Wednesday night spaghetti dinner, Prayer Meeting and Bible Study, which had been altered a little to celebrate our safe return. We were told there was to be an ice cream social in our honor, and nearly the whole church would be there (and they were).

I fell in love with this congregation nearly a year ago, when I got to meet them all for the first time. Honest, kind, genuine, and so willing to serve, they quickly found a way into my affections. I have always looked forward to opportunities to fellowship with them since then. Last night, as we made our way through the parking lot, it was evident most people were standing at the door just waiting for our arrival. I got a big, "Welcome Mrs. Wells!" accompanied by a hug from the first by-stander, which was rapidly followed by a dozen more from men, women and young adults. They made me happy to be there, and the evening had only just begun.

We visited through a quick dinner, and then all headed into prayer. This prayer group is comprised of a good bulk of the church: all faithful men and women, devoted whole-heartedly to the Lord. I've only heard stories of the prayers the Lord has answered for them over the years. There were a few more than usual on account of the ice cream, or the newly weds, or something of the sort, so the little front room was packed, and extra chairs were brought in.

Pastor Dean gave a brief introduction, and then an elder stood up and briefly reminded us what the direction of our prayers for this evening should be: we were to pray specifically for the exposition of the Word that coming Lord's Day, and for faithfulness for the pastor as he prepares. Already, I was glued to my seat, ready for the lesson I was sure God was going to teach me through these people.

We covered a white board with prayer requests and praises. Everyone thought of something. There was sympathy in the eyes of all when a particularly difficult situation was mentioned, and there was joy when Daniel asked for prayer and praises for the condition of each of our sisters.

The time of prayer was beautiful. With such faith, we all approached the throne room of God, and humbley but so boldly, made our requests, and glorified His awesomeness.

Daniel and I were both made speechless however, after prayer was finished, and we were ushered out into the narthex. There was a beautiful sheet cake, and piles and piles and piles of food and household supplies. Probably two months' worth of groceries! We could not believe our eyes. I could not stop smiling.

The pastor then gave us a public welcome and briefly charged us, specifically as a soon-to-be-pastor and his wife. Then one of the women then gave us an account of our relationship, and how beautiful it was and is, and how glad they all were to be able to share in some of the joy and excitement of it. She expressed the Church's excitement in learning more about both of us, but specifically me, and learning to serve others together. It was so incredibly sweet.


 Skittles, corn muffin mix x4, coffee (even some Starbucks!), cocoa, chocolate chips, maple syrup (the real kind), paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, flour, sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, baking soda, baking powder, napkins, paper cups, chicken and beef broth, taco shells, salsa, corn chips, canned veggies, rice, hamburger helper boxes, cinnamon, salt, oatmeal, grits, muffin mix, sandwich baggies, all kinds of baggies, pancake mix, cleaning products, and even a Smoothie King gift card! As we unpacked all the bags (green bags, too, which make me even happier) I kept telling Daniel over and over again, "We are so blessed. We are so blessed." I was so overwhelmed I couldn't cry. We had already been pleasantly surprised by several more-than-generous checks as wedding presents, as were not too worried about making ends meet through summer, but this topped everything off, and has given us a chance to save where we would have spent. God is good!

One of the women at church gave me this bouquet of hydrangeas, which naturally remind me of the wedding day, since many of them are the same baby blue, and we had these pretty flowers on the top of our cake. I finally have a centerpiece for my kitchen table! I am a happy girl.

When we finally got everything unpacked, and somewhat organized we headed to bed. I was still floating on clouds, and remembered that old Chris Tomlin song Indescribable.


"Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable..."