Oh Happy Day!

FYI, Braun and I now have a wedding website!  I’ll update it as things progress and I have more details!

Here’s the link!

#mce_temp_url#

 

Dowd Half Marathon

I must be crazy.  Tuesday, I mentioned to Kathryn that I was thinking about running a half marathon over the weekend.  Now, the crazy part comes in here: the last time I ran “distance” was in September for the Blue Ridge Relay.  And, the longest leg of that run was 5.9 miles!  I haven’t been running much at all on a regular basis since then.  I’m not sure why I wanted to do it — guess to just see if I COULD do it.  And it turns out, I did it.  My time was fairly slow for me, but at least I ran over the finish line. That’s something!  It also made me realize that I am not anxious to do a marathon.  I guess it would be different if I actually would have trained for this race!  Anyway, I can still run.   I’m always amazed by muscle memory.  Just like I’m surprised every time I get back in the pool after months and realize, “hey! I can still swim.”  Silly me!

 

My struggle

Vain glory.

This is somewhat hard to write, but I want it to be freeing.

I like knowing people like me. I worry too much about what people think of me.  I need affirmation and I do what I can to stay in people’s good graces. I hate disappointing people and my insides get all twisted up and knotted when I feel someone might be unhappy with me or something that I’ve done.

This is my struggle.

In the Old Testament (I Samuel), we read about King Saul.  He was more worried about being well received by the people that being obedient to the God who put him in the place of leadership.  I don’t want to be a Saul. I mean, the guy convinced Samuel to come worship with him in front of his people AFTER Samuel rebuked him for not following God’s commands to the letter.  He still wanted vain glory.

It was a good message for me to hear.  It’s caused me to check myself this week.  What is my motive in serving, completing a task, sharing something with someone?

But it doesn’t stop there.  Romans tells us that Christ died for us while we were in our sin.  Through Christ I am forgiven and receive mercy and grace!  But I can’t take that grace for granted. Each and every day, I must lay my struggled down and pray for the Lord to transform me.  And I know he can.

I was deeply moved by the video that Port City Community Church posted about how God has been transforming lives within their church there. Our God is able to do what we think can’t be accomplished!

Check this out and be encouraged!

http://vimeo.com/7315415

 

 

A first

I think I had my first panic attack or some sort of anxiety attack yesterday.  All of a sudden,  I was near tears, my head was pounding and my chest was tight. I didn’t know what would happen next.  Was I going to throw up?  Was I going to pass out, burst into tears, hyperventilate? What?

I shot an email to Braun telling him that, “I think I’m having a panic attack.”  Of course, he called me immediately and as soon as he started talking, I start to cry.

I’m overwhelmed.  We still need a place to get married…in Charleston.   Last weekend, my parents brother and I journeyed to Chucktown to check out the scene.  It was a good trip.  Basically, it’s between two venues so far and they are VERY different.  My parents really liked one venue and, of course, I really liked the other.

So Thursday night, Braun and I will make a super fast trip to Charleston so he can hopefully catch  a vision for our wedding.

I am told that everything will work out and everything will be okay.   I know that in my heart, but it’s hard to believe it most part of my day.

I really don’t want to have to start taking some sort of medication.

Wedding Planning

I like to plan even though I’m not super detail oriented. I think I like to get a vision and then have people work out the details. Anyway, that being said, I’ve been engaged one week and two days and I’m already a bit stressed.

So, all you married folk out there, I want to hear from you!  What’s some of the best advice you can give as far as planning?  What helped you keep your insanity and keep your relationship being the priority (as opposed to the wedding)?

Going to the Chapel and we’re….

GONNA GET MARRIED!!!

Birthday week surprises

Day 1 – Dinner, card (sweet!), Bottle o’ bubbly (the good stuff), and Champagne glasses (Italian).

Day 2 – 33 Roses (gorgeous).

Day 3 – Tickets to see Jersey Boys  on Broadway in NYC.

We’re on Day 4. I really can’t imagine what more he could do.

Wild…mountain….nation

Wish I could have listened to this while running my legs of the Blue Ridge Relay last week!  It would have gotten me pumped!

News

Yesterday, 2 years after my first house shopping adventure with Lars Hedenborg, I bought my first piece of real estate!  A condo at The Vyne in Charlotte, NC.  It’s new construction and it’s niiiice. I finally did it!  My parents are now breathing a huge sigh of relief. Their little girl is all growsed up.

In the same day, I received 33 roses from my love (one for every year of my life. It’s my birthday week, y’all!!!).  They are, by far, the most gorgeous flowers I have ever received in my life.   Oh, and the day before, he gave me the sweetest card along with champagne and champagne glasses to celebrate the new condo! 

The funniest thing about the flowers is that, before I received them, Braun and I were in the car as he was taking me back to work after the real estate closing and we got behind a flower delivery van. I jokingly said “you never get me flowers.”  He didn’t say a word.  It’s a running joke (to me at least)!   So, about an hour later, this huge bouquet of roses arrives!  Silly me.  Sweet B.

I, along with some special peeps, toasted the new condo after work.  It was really cool to be there (with the flowers) in my own place! Yay!

So, here’s to a new season of life!

Bristol

not my photo - choiceracing

 Tonight I get on a flight to Bristol.  Tomorrow night, I will no longer be a NASCAR virgin. Gasp!  Don’t tell my parents. Ha!

I’ve been told this is the best race and the most fun and I’m very excited to witness the spectacle that is NASCAR.  Yeee ha! I think Braun is secretly praying that I will hate it. What if I love it?

I have my outfit picked out (adhering to the “garage dress code) and I’m ready.  10:30pm cannot come soon enough! 

GET ER DONE. 

 

This is where I’ll be tomorrow night, y’all.