Vacation 2011- Folly Beach Style

This past week my parents, Matt and I headed to Folly Beach, SC for the first time. We all had a blast and a very relaxing week! Folly Beach is a very neat place where you can park your car and never move it, you can walk to all restraunts and shops. The only time we moved was if we went to the grocery store or into Charleston. Which we actually did quite a lot! It was hard deciding what pictures to put on here but I think these will show the fun week we had. None of us were ready to return home.

Many late nights were spent playing the Wii and trying to improve our Wii ages. (Note: there is an hilarious video of my mom playing the Wii and if she wouldn't hurt me for posting it I would include it for your enjoyment)

The week started out with a flat tire on my dad's car and when putting on the spare tire we found out it was flat too! My dad had hurt his back earlier in the summer so it is a GREAT thing we had Michelin Matt with us!

Two of my favorite men hanging out on the balcony.

Matt and I on the beach. We had a blast playing in the ocean and catching some rays on the sand!

Daddy's Girl, standing in the water where there is not a care in the world.

Soaking up God's beautiful creation.

Enjoying a little beach time

We enjoyed two carriage tours. One historic Charleston and the other a Ghost Tour!

Ate at some really yummy seafood place with many famous people: Mel Gibson and a Senator plus many others had eaten at our table.

Enjoying a night time swim

I'm big on the pig at Piggy Wiggly. However my dad did find a Harris Teeter and for my birthday got me my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies and Cake!!

Many evenings were spent enjoying live music. This was by far our favorite one...Calhoun's Calling!

Out on the pier, taking pictures with the beautiful ocean behind.

Enjoying dinner on the pier.

My handsome fiance and I.

My wonderful parents enjoying their time on the beach.

Celebrating my birthday with BEAUTIFUL pearls from Matt, and several Charleston memories from my parents!

We had a wonderful time on our first vacation to Folly Beach and hope to go back another summer! It was a special time to have with just the four of us before the wedding!! Which by the way is only 93 days away! :)

Learning

Do you ever feel that the Lord is trying to teach you something? Well I always feel as if He is trying to teach me something but this summer there has been a common theme in my personal devotion time, sermons on Sunday's, lessons for 4th Grade Sunday School, and in preparing for my new job at the Christian School.

The common theme in all of it is: EVANGELISM. I believe the Lord is calling me to be a bolder person when it comes to sharing my faith. I need to show and share God's love for everyone in my own life so that others may come to know Him and his redeeming grace. Sharing the gospel and God's love does not come naturally to all people but it is something that we are commanded to do, so instead of shying away and leaving it up to the next person to share we all are to share with others. Not only do we need to vocalize the gospel but also our lives should be a living witness of God's wonderful love.

"All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:18-20

I already sense the Lord prompting me to do a few things to show His love. I pray that I am obedient to His call and will follow through with what that Lord has asked of me!

"But you will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Smaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

"If you love me, you will obey what I command."

John 14:15

Craft Days

Today I am heading to the craft store! I have a few more weeks of summer left and a few new projects that I want to complete. You will have to stay tuned for updates on how they turn out.

I will give you a look into the things for now:

1. A wooden letter S and some spray paint.
2. Lots of scrapbooking supplies to update Matt and I's scrapbook.

3. Frame Bible Verses for my new classroom (so excited to finally be able to openly have scripture around my class) and house!

4. Two new wreaths, stay tuned to see where these show up in the house!

5. Project #5 is a surprise for my sister and since she reads my blog I will have to wait and show that one when I have given it to her.

Happy Wednesday to you and Happy Crafting Day to me!

The ups and downs of Charlotte

While visiting this beautiful city where I was born and called home for the first 9 years of my life I came to realize several different things...

1. Where can you find a prettier skyline than this? Whenever I see this skyline I instantly have so many memories flood my mind; family, friends, church, school, sports, kickball games, lemonade stands etc. This is the city where I came to a loving relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, made many memories with my family and friends, where I got my first scar from swimming on the bottom of the baby pool, where I learned how to walk, talk, swim, read, and write. It is where my dad would coach my first softball team. It's where I thrived on the swimteam and could help my team win the city/county meet. It is where I got my dog Benji. It is where the dream of me one day being a teacher started at Rama Road Elementary. It's where my parents, sister, and I would create friends that last a lifetime!

2. While Charlotte has many great places to do LOTS of this and all the stores have great selections and I can always find something in my size... 3. There is the downfall of this...TRAFFIC and LOTS of it! While living in Charlotte I never noticed the traffic, I remember having to leave early to get everywhere we wanted to go but no big deal. In the past years when we have gone back to visit the traffic has never bothered me and I have always just gone with the flow of traffic. But something about this past trip there, I realized I do not have what it takes to drive in traffic day in and day out. It stresses me out! It may be different if I lived there and knew my way around but for now I will let Charlotte keep its traffic and I will go back to my town where I can easily get around no matter what time of day and the only traffic is caused by stoplights and construction.

Dear Charlotte,

Never fear I will be back to visit and I hold many fond memories of you. But please keep your traffic down south and send your shopping a little further up north!

Sincerely,

Allison

Totally In Love

This past weekend Matt and I took our engagement pictures and man did we have a blast! I think we both totally missed our calling and were really supposed to be models, ha. We both had a blast being in front of the camera and were very comfortable being our self. You know we enjoyed it and wanted these pictures when we were both awake and ready before 6:00 AM, yes you read that correct 6:00 in the MORNING!! And we are not morning people! It has been fun to look back at the pictures and to see our love shown in pictures! We have an amazing wedding photographer, Andy Baker, not only is he a family friend but he is a fantastic photographer. We headed downtown and to a car show for most of these pictures. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have and if you want to see more of Andy's work be sure to head over to www.andrewbakerphoto.com/blog to see all of our pictures click on proofs.

Our hands sitting on top of the Bible. Our relationship is what it is today because we have God in the middle of it and seek His will for us.

I got to spend my weekend with two major cuties!

Only 130 more days til I marry my soul mate!! :)

Happy Birthday Dad!

On Sunday we celebrated my dad's birthday with cake and a dinner with my uncle and grandma! What a great way to celebrate the best dad.

Dad blowing out his candle on the cake.

Happy Birthday Daddy! I am so thankful for you and always cherish the times that we have had together and look forward to many more memories. I thank God each day for allowing me to grow up as your daughter. You have always taught me how to live and been a strong Christian witness to me and others, and I will always look up to you!

Coming Right Along

We have been in full swing of wedding planning and now have all the major details worked out except for a DJ. This time has been so exciting but the thing that I love best is knowing that at the end of it all on November 5th, I will be married to Matt, the love of my life, my best friend and soul mate!! How exciting is that?!? In only 138 days!! YAY!!

This weekend we will be getting engagement pictures done. I have been busy looking at photography blogs trying to decide on some cute picture places. Matt and I have our outfits picked and location decided on. It is going to be such a fun day! I can't wait to post our pictures here for you to see!