Rose Hill

When people ask where I am from, I normally just tell
them eastern NC - because not many people have heard of Rose Hill. With a population of less than 2,000 it is your typical small town - no fast food restaurants, no movie theater, no mall, nothing much really. BUT I loved growing up in Rose Hill! Even though it was all I knew I loved it, I love the people and the memories I have of growing up here. When I think about my childhood one of the things that stick out the most is playing outside with Daniel and LB. Our house is surrounded by woods that are full of lots of exciting things - animals, cemetary, deer stands, old vehicles, etc. Every afternoon after school and HW, we would venture out into the woods to find a new place to play and hide. Dad would cut out trails for us to walk, bike, or drive the go-cart through. And everyonce in a while we could talk my mom into letting us sleep out in the woods!
One of my cousins in a real history buff and when he found out that there were some old graves out behind our house he just had to go. So the day after Christmas we all piled on the golfcart and headed into the woods....Daniel and I hadnt been back there in years! It was so fun to drive around and be back in the woods where I spent so much of my time as a little girl. I had forgotten how beautiful it is out there.




Everyone is home for Christmas...can you tell we like Volvo! Our house could be a Volvo Advertisement!

Christmas Day

My family LOVES to sleep and so we didnt even get up on Christmas day until 10am! It was so nice to sleep in. Once we did get up we did stockings, opened gifts and ate a big, yummy breakfast - cheese grits, breakfast casserole, fruit, and coffee! My dad's family arrived around 3pm, and we did Christmas with them. Probably my favorite gift was a coin collection (of the 50 quarters) that my Grandma Price has started for each of her grandchildren. My aunt finished it and gave it to us for Christmas. We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas dinner together and then played games! It was so funny watching my parents and aunt/uncle play catchphrase...lets just say the whole night was out of control. It was a great day, full of special memories and sweet time with family. And a wonderful way to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

more updates

When I left ILC on Thursday, I was glad that I didnt have to drive the 4 hours back to Rose Hill. Instead I headed to Suffolk to see my good friend Megan, she is home from CA for Christmas. Since I saw her last she got a diamond ring!! It was really good to see her...we did a lot of sleeping, watching movies, catching up, and even some fun wedding stuff. I left Megan's on Saturday morning and drove to Kinston for Christmas with the Washburns (my mom's family). It was so good to see everyone and just be together. I love my family and am so thankful for the values and faith we share. My grandparents have left quite a legacy to their children and grandchildren. Here are the "four older"ones...before reading the Christmas story and singing Christmas songs and PRESENTS! yayyy All the grandkids and MawMaw and PawPaw.

So from Kinston, LaLa and I went to Nashville, NC to see the Dempseys. They had an open house at their house for their church and it was great to meet some of their new friends. I also got to share some about my upcoming trip. It was so fun to see Coleston and Rylen...they are a mess...and will be 5 and 7 when I come back! WOW. Coleston rode back with LB and I to Rose Hill and kept talking smack about NC State. I told him I was going to pull over and leave him on the side of the road! About 10 minutes later I did pull over so he could go "pee pee!"
So I finally made it home to Rose Hill on Sunday night around 9pm. Elizabeth was here to meet me and it was refreshing to see her! She just got home from living in Argentina for 14 months and now I am leaving...so we have gotten real good at being long distance friends. We headed to Wilmington on Monday to see Katherine, Shelly, and Catherine and do some Christmas shopping.

Here I am with Catherine and Shelly...my suitemates from Sophomore year! It was so fun to be with everybody. It really just feels like I am home for Christmas break and will head back up to Raleigh in January for school. Then I remember I am going to Raleigh in January...only to fly across the ocean!

GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING.

This is my new favorite Christmas song. It is so beautifully written and beautifully sung. I love how the song builds to portray the truth of the Gospel and the gift of Jesus.

My whole life has turned around
I was lost, but now I'm found
A baby changes everything

That sweet baby that was born 2,000 years ago has certainly changed my life. To think that God Almighty came to us in the form of a baby is incredible. I love celebrating this season of Christmas. My hope and prayer for tomorrow is that with every gift I receive and every gift I give I will remember the gift of Jesus and how that has forever changed my life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

January 8th, 2009

One month from today I will be on a plane to Turkey! WOW. I cannot believe it is approaching so quickly. But I am excited and I am ready. To think that God would call me to go and plant my life overseas is beyond me. I really cannot wait to be there...to live there! To meet the people and build relationships. To learn the language. To teach...oh to teach, I cannot wait :) I have lots to do before I leave. Lots of goodbyes and packing and at times it is overwhelming all that has to be done. I love this Amy Grant (DUH!) song. And I am clinging to the fact that it everything is going to be all right.

Looking out to the hills,To the setting sun

I feel a cold wind Bound to come

Another change, Another end I cannot see

But your faithfulness to me is making it

All right I fall down on my knees

Tell me that it's all right, You give me what I need

Years of knocking on heaven's door

Have taught me this if nothing more

That it's all right, what may come

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Last night a group of us went into town to get dinner at Jason’s Deli. Never been there before but it was quite yummy! And while we were out we found these amazing houses that were decorated for Christmas. These families are undoubtedly embracing the Christmas Season. Seeing these houses got me so excited and brought me so much joy. I started blaring the Christmas music in my car and just had to take some pictures.










I love Christmas….the cards…the music…the decorations…the weather…the colors…the parties…the food…the church services…the whole Spirit of Christmas. I could go on and on and on, but the point is that I just love Christmas. The season is so merry and bright. It is full of love, as we celebrate a happy and joyous season. The anticipation and excitement that comes along is so fun! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!
But my very favorite part of the Christmas season is the reason behind it all. Jesus. Immanuel, God with us, was born. He came to live among us, to give us life and hope and joy. He came to save us and present us holy before God Almighty. Jesus is the reason for the season…the reason we have joy, the reason we celebrate, the reason for it all. And no matter your religious affliction, this season of the year is celebrated around the United States. It is the one time when majority of our nation is accepting the Good News in some way or another. In Luke 2 the angel said, Behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be for ALL PEOPLE, for today in the city of David a Savior is born, He is Christ the Lord. And what good news it is. Praise God.

thanksgiving.

I love Psalm 100. When I was in elementary school I had to memorize it in the King James Version for Bible Class. So here ya go...
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
I had a wonderful Thanksgiving day. In the morning I met with my small group for some time of reading the Word and singing. It was good to take the time to really reflect on all I have been given through Christ and my relationship with Him. Afterwards I headed to Waynesboro, VA to have Thanksgiving with the Washburns. It was such a precious time. All the moms created a fabulous lunch, and then we just enjoyed each others fellowship - playing games, catching up on life, napping, watching YouTube videos, playing my cousins Wii, and more! It was wonderful to ALL be together for a short while. It just felt like a normal Thanksgiving...not like my last one for a little while!

I have so much to be thankful for. A loving family, with supportive parents. Incredible friends that bring so much joy to my life. A faithful God. A car here and the freedom to come and go when I need to. The gift of music and the ability to make a joyful noise! The chance to spend Thanksgiving Day with my family. A college degree. Word Of God. The ability to get warm - through heat, gloves, scarf, coats, etc. LAUGHTER. Having all 5 of my senses. Cough drops. The fellowship of believers. My computer(even though it is not working too well right now). Ability to sleep anywhere and through anything. Children - their simple faith and the way they view life. These are just a few of the things I am most thankful for. I love the fact that America celebrates Thanksgiving Day. It is the one day when everyone comes together with friends and family and takes the time to be thankful. The sad thing is that for some people Thanksgiving Day is the ONLY day they reflect on all they have to be thankful for. May we all live each day with a sense of thankfulness for all we have been given.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

caffeine please!

i have never been an avid coffee drinker. i didnt even start drinking it until college, and even then it was out of necessity. i needed the caffeine so badly because i would get between 4-5 hours of sleep a night. add that to the fact that I had little interest in any of my studies...and i just needed something to keep me alert and awake during class. since being here i have started drinking coffee a lot more. its SO COLD here that i constantly want some hot tea or coffee. and although i am getting used to waking up at 7am every morning, i am still NOT a morning person and so i need my caffeine to get me going.

unfortunately the coffee here is not too good. it kinda tastes like instant coffee so when i get the chance to have some good coffee its quite exciting. last night a group of us went to starbucks for some coffee and good fellowship. it was so nice to just sit and talk (and laugh and laugh...we do that alot here) with some great friends. no agenda, no expectations. just sharing life and enjoying each others company.

I have been reading this book by Sarah Lanier called Foreign to Familiar. It suggests the idea that every culture is either a hot climate culture or cold climate culture.

Hot climate Cultures value relationships and are big on including all people. They often communicate indirectly...they will say what they think you want to hear. And they find their identity in their family, tribe, etc.

Cold Climate Cultures value task orientation and need their privacy. They will tell you exactly what they think, not to hurt your feeling but to be honest with you. And they are very individualist.

Both Hot and Cold Climates have very different ideas of hospitality, as well as their approach to time and the planning of events. For the most part the Southern US is a hot climate culture and I am going to be moving to a hot climate culture (which I am really thankful for and excited about!) The only main difference is that the Southern US is more individualistic, we are very much into OUR rights and what belongs to us. As well we are okay to do some things by ourselves, such as shopping and watching TV. I am going to have some things to get used to when I move to Turkey. Apparently they will lie to you, instead of tell you they just don’t know an answer or don’t want to do something. I look forward to the challenge. But more importantly I look forward building relationships with the people there and sharing life with them. No expectations, no agendas :)

joys of life.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Some of the greatest joys in my life are my family and my friends. What a blessing that I get to live life with the people I love the most. They encourage me and challenge, and most of all the love me. Over the last few weeks I have had to chance to see some of those dearest to me.
Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw came through Richmond on the way to Uncle David's. I got to grab dinner with them at California Pizza Kitchen. It was so good to see them (along with Uncle David, Aunt Paula, Kari, Phillip, and Zachary)
Last week I went to Greensboro, NC for a night to be a part a commissioning service. It was a good and quick trip, and fun to get away for a bit. The BEST part...lifetime girls surprised me! So fun to see them and have them be a part of my special evening. If only Megs was there :(
So on Monday I saw Brittany (pregnant) and on Saturday I saw Brittany again (not pregnant and with a baby!) Speirs was born on Nov 14th...Britt's birthday. I was very excited that I was in Raleigh for the weekend and got to meet him and see Brittany! I had a wonderful weekend in Raleigh with some wonderful friends! I got to see a lot of people and am so grateful for the chance to catch up and spend time with each of them. Several people came to Providence on Sunday night, which was really special. Here I am with the Dempsey boys...Coleston and Rylen!

SURPRISE!!

Surprise Parties are just so much fun and can be quite intense. Planning and pulling off my mom's 50th birthday party in September was enough to due me in at times. I handled it better than this lady though. Please watch this video. All 5 minutes are worth it and just too funny!
Enjoy :)

http://www.hulu.com/watch/16388/saturday-night-live-surprise-party

Stay for a While

Well, its good to see your smile, And I love your company.

Stay for awhile. And remember the days gone by;

For a moment it can seem just the way it used to be.

One of the highlights from my trip to California (although NOT the highlight...the highlight was seeing Megs) was going to an Amy Grant concert! She was doing a 20th anniversary tour of her 1988 Lead Me On tour. She did only songs from 1988 and before, and although I was only 2 years old in 1988 I knew all the words and gladly sang along! Megs and I were by far the youngest in the audience, but it was still a fun night!!

I love Amy Grant, and I always have. I remember performing "amy grant" concerts with my cousins and brother to "Baby, Baby" "Thats What Love is For" "Hope Set High" and so much more. I loved her music then, it was the coolest music mom let us listen too and it was all I knew. In 1995, I attended my very first concert, the Amy Grant House of Love Tour! We had the opportunity to go back stage and meet her, which was very cool...I was 10 years old.And now 12 years later I had the opportunity to meet Amy again, and it was still very cool. Even though she is like my parent's age, it was very exciting for me. I love her music, especially her stuff from the 80's. I love that her songs hold so much truth and authenticity. They move me and challenge me and have inspired me for years. All I need on a good or bad day is the Word of God and an Amy Grant song. It's real life and it is beautiful. She makes me love Jesus more, and I guess that is all that really matters.

California with Megs

I just got back from the sunny state of California! I went to visit my dear friend Megan. It was so wonderful to see her and spend some quality time with her. She is working for FCA in Orange County and living the life :) We went to the beach, shopped, rode bikes, ate at some really good restaurants, and just enjoyed hanging out. I was really sad to leave, but I leave for training in 3 days and have lots to do before then. Here are some pictures from my trip...I'll post more later. I am going to attempt to go to bed now, although it's only 8:30pm CA time!

Amy Grant

HCA Homecoming

I graduated from HCA in 2004! Which means the current senior class was in 7th grade when I graduated. WOW!! How time flies. But I still love going back for Homecoming...seeing old teachers, catching up with friends, seeing how the school has changed and watching football. It is always a fun night. It is Crazy that my little sister is even an alumni now.
This is a picture of my fun and sweet friend, Kelly Salmon. In 1991, we both entered Kindergarten at HCA. There were 15 students in our class and our teacher's name was Miss Gurganious. We often got in trouble during carpet time or rest time or really any other time!! But we loved being together and have always had so much fun together.

Oh and while cleaning out my room I found this picture of Kelly and I from 1999!! We were in middle school, probably 6th or 7th grade. For several years we wore this outfit to every single NC state football game and basketball game. We LOVED matching and looking so cute. HA!

Life in Rose Hill

Life in Rose Hill is good :) I actually havent been as bored at I thought I would be. On Monday, Mom, LB and I went shopping in Wilmington. We got a lot accomplished...much to my father's dismay! I have also been busy busy cleaning out my room, in order to put away all the stuff I moved home from Raleigh I have to clean out the old stuff. I have found clothes, books, birthday cards and other junk from middle school!! It is quite time consuming, but I know it will make packing for training and Turkey much easier. Here are some pictures of my piles of junk....my mom keeps saying "the house was so neat before" (and then she moans!) One closest that is completed and organized!AND I got my hair cut!! I am really enjoying it so far. I took a picture with my webcam...enjoy :)

Last week in Raleigh!

My last week in Raleigh included lots of fun and special memories!!Quinn and I really wanted to see the movie Fireproof as well as get in some rollerblading before the NCSU football game. So we decided to rollerblade to Crossroads to see the movie, dont worry we were really really careful. And I highly recommend that everyone go see Fireproof!!
The NCSU football game last weekend was not the best experience...although tailgating was a lot of fun! The Salmons always put on quite a show, with good food and great hospitality :)

Britt and I at the game getting soaked wet...trying to NOT be fair-weather fans.

Over the past year and a half I have had the privilege of babysitting for these sweet girls. Last Sunday they treated me to dinner and then ice cream at Goodberry's...yummy yummy. I will miss them very much!

Friday Night I had the chance to hang out with some dear friends. I am so grateful for each of these girls.

Last NCSU football game!

Why?

I love blogs! I love to check them periodically, read them and look at the pictures. I think it is a great way to keep up with people and their lives. And so I have finally decided to get a blog of my own!! That way my friends and family can keep up with me :)

The title of my blog is 2-fold. First, I am begging God to lead me on, as I embark on a new phase in my life. Second, it is a song from my favorite artist of all time...Amy Grant!

Lead me on, Lead me on
To a place where the river runs into Your keeping!