I'm Back!

Note: Sorry ahead of time if it seems like I'm rambling... I typed this really fast.

This past weekend I returned home from a ski trip in Basye Virginia. The main group that went was there for a week and throughout the week we had many people joining us from different churches and they stayed for a few days. We had a total of seven different Sovereign Grace Churches represented (Jacksonville, Orlando, West Orlando, Gainesville, Charlotte, New Charlotte Church plant, and Gaithersburg). I’ve summed up the trip in three different categories below:

Fun: Overall this trip was a ton of fun! Here a some of the things that made the trip so “fun”!
-Lots of Hiking and being adventurous
- Visited Covenant Life Church and heard an outstanding message from Josh Harris
- Went to D.C. after church on Sunday
- Met some new friends from CLC that joined our group one day
- On Tuesday the majority of the people on the trip went skiing and Jenn, Christine, Jason, Kevin, and I all stayed back. Instead of skiing we decided we were going to explore mid western northern Virginia because SURELY there had to be something fun to do there. FALSE! We started our day by cooking and eating a lovely breakfast together, and then we tried to go to the New Market Battlefield to learn something on the trip. Except they wanted $9. $9 to see an empty field. Strike one. Then we tried to go to the Luray zoo which ended up being a shack on the side of the road. Strike Two. So then we had a picnic lunch in a park where then someone (not going to mention who ;) ) dropped the football into a flowing stream. The football did end up being retrieved (after many laughs and climbing to get to it) and we finally decided “lets take a ride on the Beautiful Skyline Drive” Once we decided to do that we realized we didn’t have enough gas to make it where we wanted to exit Skyline Drive so we then drove seven miles out of the way to find a gas station and then drove seven miles back. By the end of the day we made it back to our town house safe and sound with lots of funny story’s to tell. Though the day didn’t necessarily work out as planned it ended up being a blast! (Some of this story was by Jenn Romanski. Love ya Jenn!)
- Fun games at night
- A total of 40 hours of driving and the great conversations within the cars
- Taking a hike in 19 degree weather with a wind chill of 0 degrees. That was by far the coldest I’ve ever been but definitely worth the hike to a beautiful waterfall!
- Cooking dinners with all the girls
- The traditional Cracker Barrel stop we take on every trip

Refreshing: I came out of this trip feeling very tired but refreshed. I was tired simply from all the fun we were having but at the same time refreshed with God’s love! Going into the trip there were many things laying heavy on my heart. To make a long story short, the biggest thing was contemplating whether or not God was/is calling me to continue working for my dad or to pursue something else (different job, decorating classes, teach dance etc.) My dad asked me to be in prayer about it because he didn’t want me to feel like I was “stuck” working at Bruster’s or feel guilty if I did decide I didn’t want to continue working there. My desire is to seek and follow God’s will for my life, but because of some things God has been laying on my heart lately I’ve been a little confused in seeking what to do next. I was really looking forward to spending a lot of extended time clearing my head and praying for guidance. Every morning when I would sit at His feet I sensed His presence and love pouring into my heart. Though there are still some un-answered questions, the Lord has reminded me out of Jeremiah 29 that His plans are for my good and His glory and plans that will give me a hope and a future. God has continued to remind me to seek, delight, and trust in Him during this “waiting” season. All I sensed God telling me on the trip seemed to overflow into yesterday’s church service. Everything that was said, songs we sang, words that came forth were all for me, I’m convinced! God has been faithful! It just amazes me!

Blessed by the Lord: The Lord was definitely at hand during the entire trip. He kept us safe, we didn’t have too many injuries and we only got lost a couple times… =). We all sensed the Lord’s presence on New Year’s Eve as we reflected upon His faithfulness to us in 2008. The Holy Spirit worked mightily and it was a very fruitful time for us all. Thank you Lord!
Here are some pictures! Check back over the next couple days for more! =)

Anniversary Pictures

This past weekend brought many laughs and tears. It was a very sweet time as we recounted all the wonderful memories we’ve had as a church together. Here are some pictures of the skits taken by Shyla and a few others.

Celebratinig 10 Years

Tomorrow night will be a very special one for many. GCC will be celebrating our ten year anniversary!

I remember the day when sitting around our kitchen table in Atlanta when dad and mom announced to Jonathan, Amber, and I that we would be moving to Jacksonville, FL to plant a church. At the time, they weren't aware of a single person that would be joining us on the church plant. In a matter of a couple of months, eight other families from the church in Atlanta and other Sovereign Grace churches decided they believed it was the Lord’s will to join my family on the church plant to Jacksonville. From the very day of sitting around our kitchen table to today, I stand AMAZED when I look at God’s faithfulness to my family and GCC.

Over the last ten years of living in Jacksonville, the Lord has blessed me with friends, young and old that I most definitely DO NOT deserve. These friends have spurred me on to be more like Christ and to run after Him as hard as I can. I’m grateful to God for all the fun times we’ve had laughing and making great memories. For the fruitful times we’ve spent having biblical fellowship and encouraging each other in our walks with the Lord. And most of all, for the ways they’ve been so faithful to hold me accountable.

Words cannot express how grateful I am to God for this church and for bringing my family to Jacksonville. Through the years many things have changed in my family and the church, but in every situation God has been merciful to show us His grace. I don’t know what the Lord has in store for my future or how many more years I will be a member of GCC, but I do know until that day comes, Grace Covenant Church in Jacksonville will be to me the dearest place on earth!

Please pray that tomorrow night would bring much glory to God as we reflect upon His faithfulness and grace to us through the years.

A Fun Weekend!

Here are some pictures from the weekend!










Also, things are slowly getting better at work. As I stated in my previous post, things hadn’t been going very well. It was a hard process of going in the store to take over everything for my grandfather. It was also very hard to see him so upset. God has been kind to give me much grace to get through my days. He has also provided much wisdom to my dad and I on how to handle the situation. Thank you for all your prayers!

Weekend Fun!

Ski Trip Photos

Father Daughter Dinner

Here are some photos from a formal dinner that all the singles guys in my Church and Kaleb did for all the single girls and their fathers.

Thanks guys for such a memorable evening!