When God asks hard things & wedding goodness!

Think of the hardest thing God has ever asked you to do.

Now imagine your Abraham and God is asking you to sacrifice your only son.

I can't even imagine doing that, let alone having a son right now! HA! Regardless I think we can learn a thing or two from a few "steps" Abraham took in following through with what God asked of him. Here's what I gathered after re-reading the account in Genesis 22.

1. Early the next morning Abraham set out - v. 3 (without delay he obeyed)

2. When he had cut enough wood - v. 3b (he prepared for what was ahead )

3. We will worship - v. 5 even in the midst of something hard he worshiped! (I am so curious what this looked like and what was going through his heart, especially with his son right next to him)

4. he himself carried the fire and the knife - (maybe I am reading too much into this but there seems to be a sense of responsibility/ownership in him carrying this vs his servants)

5. God himself will provide the lamb - v. 8 (he continues to speak truth)

6. Then he reached out his knife to slay his son - v. 10 (follow-through)

7. There in the thicket he saw a ram - v. 13 (God's faithfulness)

8. v.15-18 - Rewards of obedience

And on a less serious note here are pictures from yet another wedding!

I must admit I am not a big wedding fan BUT these past two have been a blast!

Margy - she can't keep her hands off me! Who can blame her?! HA!

My partner in crime : Executive Buxton with Executive Schaefer

or should I say Ruth and Anita?! (It's a long story)

Donnelly - what a lovely lady! We were trying to spell out KLMJ (her Dad's radio station)Another long story!

Ohhh Margy - She's one of those friends that we never really hung out in college,

but now we are "tight" - as they say!

AND last BUT not least the Beautiful Bride - Mrs. Stephanie Larscheid

Steph and I meet the first day of college and were best buds ever since!

The first day we met I asked her if anyone ever called her "phanie" instead "steph".

She laughed and said No BUT somehow the nickname stuck!

Your welcome StePHANIE:)! It's amazing after that we remained friends.

Some of my best times were had with this lovely lady! She will always remain a favorite friend of mine and I will always smile when I think about our times together!

Congrats Steph:)!

Rest & more Vitamin D!

As I said from my last post I am spending my time of waiting soaking up time in each of these areas.

Rest : Reflection : Revelation : Relationships

Maybe more than ever I have learned what it really means to "rest" in the Lord. I have spent lots of time abiding, as we Christians like to say. Basically reading the good ole Word of God, memorizing Scripture, going on long prayer walks, listening to podcasts, and just "being" with God.

I have also got to sleep in which is one of my favorite things AND on occasion take a nap!

I am getting to experience for the first time how vital it is to have quality rest that truly refreshes you and allows you to be even more productive and efficient the rest of the week.

This has been one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon! (More to come on books I have been reading)

Please note that the grande coffee was a free drink coupon -

I don't normally load up on my grande coffees :)

On the lake has been another favorite way to spend an afternoon!

Recently my brother and sister-in-law came to town and

we got to spend a day on the water!

I even put the beer down (yep I said it) and got off my butt and onto the tube!

I am still smiling because I requested a "leisure" ride!

TJ - living dangerously!

She's still alive!

Lastly, I must confess my summer addiction! I would like to blame or thank:) my sister-in-law Jana for getting me hooked on this show. What can I say it's a great way to "rest" :)

AND incase your wondering I think I am rooting for Ben!

Big Brother Brandon Wisdom

I asked my brother Brandon his advice for me while I am in this season of waiting. He recommended lots of time in each of these "R" areas.

Rest : Reflection : Revelation : Relationships

Like normal his advice has proved to be quite helpful as I doing my best to soak time in each area. In this post I will highlight some sweet relationships God has blessed with me and thanks to Rachel & Ben getting married I actually have some pictures to share!

Their wedding was amazing mainly because it was totally centered on Christ! I was thankful to be apart of it!

Ms. Sarah Meyer - my partner in crime all day long!

Her title for the day was Maid of Fun - which is exactly what happened all day!

My Friend - EEVEE (as I like to call her)

I am missing her wedding this fall while I am in England :( - I can't quite remember what the wink was about, but I am sure it has some deep and spiritual significance!

Mandy - What else to say?! BUT I definitely miss seeing this lady in the offices of Cornerstone!

Some of my favorite "older" ladies in life. I got the privilege of going on a mission trip with these two awhile back and I can't seem to pull myself apart from them! They are full of wisdom and FUN - the perfect combination!

We need a little help with picture taking - I blame the 6 cups of coffee Mary Ann had downed by the this point! Although you would think that would help her focus?!

My dear friend Ms. Sarah Taylor - BUT not Ms. for long, she's soon to be marrying this handsome fellow below! Another wedding I will miss :(

When I am in Ames, I stay at my home away from home - Stacey, Lindy, (above) & Sarah's house! If you want to sleep in past 7am this is NOT the house to stay at.

My sister-in-law TJ and family are in Iowa, and when I woke up and walked into the kitchen we were both wearing the same dress! So...we had to capitalize on this with some great cheesy pictures!

Look forward to my next post on... REST and more pictures I am sure!