Ohio Fun | Westside Market

I simply had the best time celebrating New Years in Cleveland, Ohio with my sister and her husband's family. One of the last days of our trip, we headed downtown and spent the afternoon at the Westside Market. Y'all, I adore food and fresh ingredients and if you are ever in the Cleveland area, put this on your sightseeing list.

We found out that this popular hot spot has been thriving since it's opening in 1912. Vendors and local restaurants sell their goods weekly and it was a packed house when we visited on a Saturday morning. As if the local produce and goods weren't enough, this market houses unique international items that are difficult to find elsewhere. 

It was a rush weaving around the booths and nibbling on samples and picking up hodge-podge items that we used to create our lunch. The sights and smells are simply glorious! Some of my favorite vendors were: Pierogi Palace (They were closed when we visited but I always go for beef), Ohio City Pasta (need I say more?), Cake Royale (try their cannoli's!), Steve's Gyro's (They sold out when where were there so be sure to jump in line early), and Crepes de Luxe (the best crepes ever!). 

I had never had a savory crepe because I can never resist crepes filled with chocolate and fruit but my Italian style crepe did not disappoint. Also, blood orange soda from Italy? Yes, please! I can't wait to return to Westside Market on my next visit to Ohio! Oh and Go Bucks! (way to roast those Ducks!).

                                                                                                        

It Is Well With My Soul

It is difficult for us to trust. To simply let go of our puny human strength and fully embrace something that we cannot physically see or touch. And yet every fiber of my being chooses to trust that God is sovereign, that He truly is who He says He is and that He is in complete control of it all. 

My precious grandmother passed away last week and I know with all my heart that she is staring into the face of her Savior Jesus and worshiping at His feet. The pastor who spoke at her funeral this weekend sang one of her favorite songs to begin the service, It Is Well With My Soul. A few hours earlier, the song, It Is Well, played as I got ready to tell her goodbye. My grandmother was ready to meet Jesus face to face. She had filled her ninety years to the brim with life. It was well with her soul to see her beloved husband once again. It was well with her soul to be free of her earthly shell and live in perfect peace. 

I realized this morning that as sad as it is to lose a loved one, that I am truly grateful that the Lord called her home when He did. As much as He is involved in the big events in our lives: marriages, births, deaths, I love that He's a part of the little details in our days too. The fact that He is so intimately acquainted with my thoughts, my desires and my heart is beautifully overwhelming. I don't want to spend my life filling it with things or activities that simply make me busy. I want to fill my life with actions and words and prayers that matter. 

Thank you Betty Davis for living your life with purpose. Thank you for pouring truth into your children and your grandchildren. Thank you for passing down your love of gorgeous flowers, your thirst for adventure, your sassy attitude, your desire to dive into a good book and your traveling spirit to me. I love you dearly!

                                                                                                            

New Year Traditions

Growing up, our family never celebrated New Years in a big way; besides lighting a few sparklers, getting to stay up past our bed time and watching the giant peach drop on TV (yep, you read that correctly, Atlanta drops a peach). My sister Bekah and I are just two and a half years apart. She is the butter to my bread, the ketchup to my french fries, the icing on my cupcake and my very best friend. She's been married for a little over two years to an amazing man, Christian, and they moved to Ohio when she became his wife. We intentionally text, send photos, video chat and call each other on a regular basis but there is still a part of my heart that aches to see her on a daily basis. The first New Years after she got married, Drew and I traveled with my parents to go visit her. Now it's become a tradition and I've never looked forward to celebrating New Years more. 

I just got back from a week long stay with her and my heart is so full from the time that we spent together.Bekah married into a family who celebrates New Years in a unique and amazing way and I love being able to be apart of it. Christian's maternal Grandmother is Italian and still has immediate family living in Rome, Italy (I know...I'm already trying to convince his grandmother to take me with her on their next family visit).

All dressed up for New Years

 On New Year's Eve, Christian's grandparents treat all of the extended family to a big dinner at Maggianos. After we stuff ourselves, we head over to his uncle's house and play games until midnight. And when I say everyone plays, I'm talking about the entire family playing "Murder in the Dark"; aunts, uncles, little kids and big kids and Grandma, who are all hard core about winning. It's pretty much the best and if that wasn't fantastic enough, his Aunt Robyn, who is famous in Cleveland for her Buckeyes, lays out a spread of homemade desserts too. 

On New Year's Day, Grandma and Christian's mom make homemade pasta, ravioli with tomato sauce and meatballs that will make your mouth believe that you are in Italy. The rest of the day is usually filled with football watching and more game playing. I just love that they have blended their family's culture with American traditions as well. It's truly a beautiful thing to behold.

Downtown Chagrin Falls, Ohio

New Year's was just fabulous and I'm so blessed to have such an amazing sister. I am counting down the days and saving up my pennies to hopefully be able to make another visit soon! More to come on the fantastic city of Cleveland soon. I'm curious to know what your New Year traditions are and I'd love to hear them!

                                                                                                   

"The Weary World Rejoices"

       

This Christmas I'm thankful for a place to call home with my husband. I'm thankful that this year has been full of twists and turns because I feel stronger than I did this time last Christmas. I'm thankful for the traditions that we have started and for times to gather with friends and family.

This year I've chosen to make room for Advent. To take the time to soak in the truth that Christmas means as God put on skin and came to rescue and redeem us. It feels different in the best possible way. Minimal rushing, less time writing and more time reading (books and not my Instagram feed), lots of quality time spent with my husband and our pups with lots of resting. 

I've come to see that Chrismas is more exciting because I've spent more time waiting in anticipation, not only for a day of celebrating but in waiting to hear from the Lord. He came to save us and restore us. He came to free us from ourselves. He came to breathe life into our bones and grant us grace. 

Merry Christmas friends and I hope that you have a very Happy New Year! 

                                                                                                

                               

Memories are Worth Making

During this busy season of the year, full of special traditions, gift buying and my new sales position at the Refugee Sewing Society, I'm trying to let go of my own expectations and be content with the memories that I'm making instead. Here are a few things that I'm looking forward to enjoying 

during this Advent season.

Spending time decorating our new home for Christmas. 

I can't wait to hang up this precious free printable from the Jones Design Company

(Join her email list and get printables for free!)

Continuing to study the Advent Plan from She Reads Truth

Watching classic Christmas movies... I've always been a sucker for It's a Wonderful Life.

And of course spending time with with wonderful man. 

Enjoy the one and only picture I snapped over Thanksgiving

 P.S. How was your Thanksgiving?

                                                                                                       

She Prospers Photography: Juliet's Three Month Pictures

Sweet friends, a gorgeous setting and a calm baby creates pretty pictures. I have loved capturing moments for Tyler and Jordan and Juliet's three month pictures were no exception. This big blue eyed beauty is as easy going as they come and is a joy to spend time with. I can't wait to see her little personality continue to change in the months to come. Happy three months Juliet!
                                                                                         

There is ALWAYS something to be Thankful for.

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Growing up my family always chose this holiday to travel and visit our extended family. When Drew and I got married, we decided to try our best to balance our time between family and establishing our own traditions. I love the traditions that we have embraced and look forward to making new ones in the years to come. This time last year we celebrated with people from all over the world with the best friendsgiving you ever did see.

I remember feeling so thankful to have people who loved me scattered around the house and the joy that they brought me. Being home this year there is a shift in the way I feel about this holiday. As excited as I am to celebrate with family, there's an awareness that has also come as we we have returned back to the States. Even if we didn't have an elaborate meal planned, It's so much more than the food and I think I've realized why I cherish this holiday above the rest. It's about the people. It's choosing to praise the Lord in plenty and in want. It's making an active choice to recognize His goodness and how he lavishes His love upon us even in our most undeserving moments. 

We have been given the opportunity daily to praise Him for his grace and I want my life to have more thankfulness in it. Even when we face difficult circumstances, we have the hope of our salvation and the anchor of the gospel to cling to. This is where true joy springs from. This is the source of life-giving hope. Friends, there truly is always something to be thankful for and my prayer is that this continues to grow in the hearts of my family and friends. Thank you for taking the time to read my words and invest a moment of your day in this little blog. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
                                                                                               

Do Less With More Focus

I recently ran across this great quote from the brilliant gals over at Small Fry. This past year of my life has been filled with more change than I have thought I would have the strength to muster but the Lord has been gracious to provide peace. When we moved back to Atlanta, I didn't know what specific direction He was leading me in but the one thing that I heard from Him clearly was this, "be patient and watch me work". 

I'm a jump-in-with-both-feet kind of person and it's both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that I totally and completely commit to whatever it is that I am involved in. The curse is that there are so many great things to get involved in, that I often want to commit to multiple things at once. Trial and error has proved that this is an exhausting and unsuccessful cycle in my life.

Drew and I's time living overseas allowed us to see that the hustle and bustle of constantly living with a full plate for years at a time is not a life-giving way to live, it's a life-taking one. Choosing to put something on my calendar should not reflect a need to feel accepted. Instead it should be a purposeful choice to choose community and life giving structure to my life. I'm actively seeking to measure the amount of rest in our lives versus the busyness. So here I am, pursuing to live a life that is honoring to the Lord, use my gifts wisely, work in a way that is edifying and not over commit. I love the ministry that I have the privilege of working for and I truly want to give my energy and focus to them so that I will have more emotional, physical and spiritual energy to pour into my marriage, my relationships and my faith. 

The Lord's word of warning to watch and wait to see Him network was the truth that I needed to hold onto when facing a mountain of unknowns. The beauty of not rushing to commit is that you are able to fully know that He brought the opportunity to you. It wasn't birthed out of striving or frustration, it is graciously given as a gift. I feel more peace about my decision to focus on fewer things in my life and know that I'm hearing the Lord more clearly without the other distractions. I know that the most difficult thing now will be to stay on this course for the long haul but I know deep down that it will be worth it.

                                                                                                

Pumpkins, Apple Picking and Dahlonega Goodness

A few weekends ago, Drew and I drove up to Dahlonega to attend a wedding and decided to spend the morning and afternoon soaking up all things Fall. If you've never been to this quaint little mountain town, you are missing out. Envision the picturesque set of Gilmore Girls but with the North Georgia mountains as a back drop. Glory. Now I'm a bit partial because Dahlonega is also home to my alma mater, North Georgia College and State University (yes, I know that they've changed the name to University of North Georgia, but I can't help but hold onto the unusually long college name that I'm so fond of).

We started our adventure up in Elijay, home to the world's finest apple pies, and meandered our way through the many apple orchards that line Highway 52. We try and visit our two favorites whenever we are making a visit, Hillcrest Orchards and B.J. Reece Orchards. Both of these orchards offer the option to "Pick Your Own" apples and also sell freshly baked apple treats. Drew and I love the hand apple pies at B.J. Reece and the apple cider from Hillcrest.

Our next stop was Burt's Pumpkin Farm, where most of my pumpkin picking memories stem from. This family owned pumpkin farm offers hay rides through the pumpkin fields, has a precious country store filled with local produce and canned goods and makes the best pumpkin roll (this year they put a twist on their traditional roll by dunking it in funnel cake batter and deep frying it...craziness). We picked our pumpkins and headed down the mountain to grab a bite to eat.

One of my personal favorite things about going to college in a small town was the ability to walk to our town square to eat and shop. It's been three years since I've made a visit and a few restaurants have come and gone but thankfully The Picnic Cafe is still up and running. Fondly called the dessertery, this tiny cafe, bakes their own bread, creates delicious sweet treats and has the best tomato basil soup! It's the perfect place for a light bite and an afternoon cup of tea or coffee.

To top off our day, we strolled around North Georgia's campus that was ablaze with gorgeous hues of red and gold. The drill field and my old dorm (Get it Lewis Hall) are about the only things on campus that looked the same to me but all of the new buildings are beautiful too. College held so many precious memories for me and I'm so thankful for the core group of friendships that have remained long since graduation.

Today is our three year wedding anniversary and I'm so thankful for the incredible man who stands by my side and loves me with his whole heart. Drew, you are the love of my life, my biggest fan, my quiet, strong leader and my very best friend. I'm so very glad that you asked me to walk through life beside you! Love You Same!
                                                                                              

Moving Glory

It's official. Drew and I moved into our first home on Monday! I want to scream it from the rooftops! We are renting a beautiful little home right outside of Atlanta and are so thankful that the Lord led us to this place. There is plenty of space for the two of us and a huge backyard for the pups. I don't think that I've ever been this excited about packing and unpacking boxes in my life. It's going to be like the best Christmas morning there ever was as we unwrap our boxes that have been awaiting us in storage. This is the first time in a year and a half that we will have a space of our own and grateful doesn't begin to describe the provision that the Lord has made for us.

Home has always been a place I treasure, a place of comfort and refuge, a place to build community and also to rest. Home has been where my husband is, whether it is in a one bedroom apartment in the suburbs, a rural village in a foreign country or right outside a bustling city. But we have never lived where we've had our house completely to ourselves until now.

My idea of what home means has changed drastically from when Drew and I were first married. Nearly three years ago (we can still say we are newlyweds right?), I wanted everything to be perfect in our home. As much as I desired for our home to radiate the things I've listed above, I also wanted it to be pretty (let's be honest, who doesn't?). But there were also times when I realized that I was allowing my identity to be wrapped up in my home and how others perceived it. Living in China, I still fought these urges to keep a clean, cute home and didn't decorate as we were living on support, but felt the urge to "nest" more than ever.

I don't think that we are called to live this way. Just a quick glance at the story of Mary and Martha is enough to convince me that my purpose is not to become a slave to my house. I don't think that my house will look like the cover in a magazine or as perfect as a photo from one of my Pinterest boards because I want my husband, my pups and my future children to live life in our home. I'm not saying that I'm not going to decorate the heck out of it and enjoy the process immensely but I am saying that I don't want to fall victim to the lie that my home has to look picture perfect all of the time. As much as I will enjoy making our house a home, I don't want to lose the perspective that I have gained. I think that Myquillyn, over at The Nester, has incredible insight and truly sums my feelings perfectly:

I cannot wait breathe life into this home. I cannot wait to host dinners with friends, spend lazy Saturday mornings making breakfast and lounging around with Drew, curl up and read on the couch and enjoy having my pups at my heels. I'm so excited to be eight minutes away from our church, and just a few minutes further away to my office. I desire so many things for this house and I'm so thankful to be in this place and soak up this moment. Any of you feel the same? Any renters have advice to share?