gone baby gone

"New Years Resolutions are just for people who weren't awesome the year before..."

This week we Collins folk had a jump start on the new years resolutions, not because we aren't awesome, but because with any new year there is bound to be some necessary changes. We'll save the diet for next week... This week was time for repainting the kitchen and getting a big girl haircut. See below :)

Kitchen before:

Kitchen after:

Haircut before:

And six inches of hair cut off later:

This next period of my life is about to bring many changes on its own, resolutions aside. I begin my first month of interning with Shades on Sunday! I will be working with the youth ministry all of January, then again for the summer. I've never worked anywhere more than part time, so this 8-5 full time commitment will be quite an adjustment. Starting the 11th I'll be driving once a week to Jackson for a night class, sort of a commuter for a few weeks. Then the spring semester has so many changes in store I cannot even begin to list them.

This next period of my life is going to look very different. It's going to be a phase unlike what I'm used to, not necessarily comfortable. But I know God has SO much in store. The last few weeks it's been easy to backslide into comfort. Being home, with friends and family is natural and normal, so I don't have to try hard to feel at peace. But I am recognizing how quickly I must shed this mentality when all these things are being stripped away slowly to leave me before the Lord, vulnerable and open to His plans and promises. I know that it will be good in the end, but that process doesn't always promise to be easy or fun along the way. I'm trusting, hoping for the best, and ready to see what comes after the refining time is finished and the fruits can be seen from the Lord.

Goin' to the Chapel...

This weekend I went to Little Rock, Arkansas for my big Olivia's wedding. I was lucky enough to be a bridesmaid, and we had such a fun time spending the last few precious hours of being single with sweet Olive. She was stunning, and such a testimony of God's faithfulness to see her journey come to this point with Jon. The wedding was beautiful, such a simple and sweet celebration of the body of Christ as His bride. I made sure to get all the highlights from the weekend:

On Friday morning Ethan and I drove from Clinton to Little Rock at 6 am and barely made it to the hotel in time to get ready for Olivia's bridesmaids luncheon. But I made it, and we were able to have such a relaxing, delicious lunch at this beautiful home. 

All weekend long, Olivia was beautiful. She made it look like it was summer outside with her pretty tan and beautiful smile.

The bridesmaids each got a ring as part of our bridesmaids' gifts. Olivia explained that she has been searching antique stores the last few months for a ring that reminded her of each bridesmaid. This was to represent how we are the bride of Christ and how special that is in her wedding celebration.

The rehearsal went beautifully, and we had such a fun time at rehearsal dinner watching a sweet video of Jon and Olivia's friends "toasting" them before the wedding. I know Ethan and I will both miss our double dates with Jon and Olivia having dinner/desert and movie nights. We're considering taking a trip to Waco to reunite!

I was so thankful to have Ethan there this weekend.. He made medicine runs for me when I wasn't feeling well, waited patiently while I had bridesmaids duties, and carried all of my stuff to the car when I had to be somewhere for pictures or what not. He was such a blessing and so incredibly servant hearted.

The flowers were beautiful, even though Olive didn't even know what they were going to be until she showed up. I loved how simple her sweet wedding was... so "Olivia" to trust all the details to fall into place.

Olivia was absolutely stunning. I couldn't stop taking pictures of her, trying to catch how beautiful she looked. Jon is one lucky husband!

The gown... it was perfect, and looked incredible on Olive. Sweet, skinny little thing..

Good friends and family, we were so glad to share this special day with Olivia.

Typical Olive to wear the party boots on her wedding day. No other shoes would have been apropritate for such a celebration!

I loved this one.. The ceremony was beautiful, I held it together until the end when I was standing by Jon and Olivia, kneeling at the altar and praying over one another. Perfect. Then the reception was so fun, and so simple. I couldn't stop smiling!

They were pretty calm with the cake... not too crazy!

Beautiful family. I was so glad everyone was here for Olive's beautiful day. We had fun!

All the Chi Omegas... We were well represented!

Singing Shades, I almost cried... so cheesy (like Big like Little)

My very favorite person. So grateful for this one.

 The Abernathys...

So good, helping her get her dress all inside.

And the beautiful sunset driving back to Clinton. Perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

Seasons..

My mom has always told me that God brings people in our life for a reason or a season or forever. I didn't understand the significance of that until this season has begun to end. This week has been hard saying goodbye to precious friends that I never want to lose. However, I understand why a season friendship is still a good thing. Sometimes those friends may have to leave for whatever reason... distance, moving, following God's leading, but God can use those season friendships to be the most significant sometimes.

God has given me glimpses into what the body of Christ is meant to be: friends who carry my burdens, share in my hurt, rejoice in my gladness, encourage me when I struggle, catch me when I fall, share their triumphs and allow me to be a part of their growing. They call me out when I am not seeking the things of the Lord. They hold me accountable to truth and guide me back to the Lord when I am searching. They wipe my tears, and laugh in joy with me. These are the precious friendships that the Lord has provided to carry me through this hard season. And although three of those closest, dearest friends will be gone tomorrow and this season is ending, I can rejoice that the Lord has allowed my heart to be encouraged by them. This chapter of my life has been precious, special and created friendships that will forever be close to heart. Saying goodbye for today doesn't mean forgetting about all the yesterdays or even having tomorrows to look forward to.

Soon I will get to stand next to Olivia as a beautiful bride and watch her relationship with Jon become a marriage that God can use to bless others as much as he has blessed me. I will get to hear about Lauren's journey to Botswana and all the lives she has been able to touch through her following God to Go and make disciples. I will continue to be encouraged by Mattie's obedience to follow God even when it's hard and leading her away from a place she was once called. These friendships are ones that are so hard to let go of in a tangible way, but that I know full well the Lord can continue to use even across oceans or states. God has blessed me beyond what I could have imagined through these precious women of the Lord and I am so eager to see what God has in store for the next season of life.

Although this goodbye is sad, and these friends are going to be missed dearly, I know that because I've seen God's provision in my life through them, He has no intention of leaving me to wander now. God's grace has blown me away the last few weeks and I can only imagine what He has in store for me next.

"All I have seen teaches me to trust Him for that I have not seen."