Coffee Date link-up with {Oh, Simple Thoughts}

It's been a while since I've done a link-up and this one seemed like the perfect one to start back up with! I stumbled on Rachel from "Oh, Simple Thoughts" through other people I follow on Instagram and really have enjoyed getting to know a little about her. She is a newlywed, and since I'm getting married soon I already feel that connection with her. This morning I explored her blog and it was so refreshing to read advice and thoughts on what it was like to be newly married. I highly recommend that you go and check it out for yourself! Her heart for Jesus shines through and has already blessed me.

Today, she is hosting a Coffee date link-up, inviting us to really open up with each other and share what's going on in our lives. I completely agree with her, being vulnerable and honestly answering the question "How are you doing" is hard. Like, really hard. I'm horrible at it. Isn't it so much easier to just say "I'm fine, and you?" But as the body of Christ we're called to be personal with each other, so... here it goes! 

If I was having coffee with you, I'd probably drag you to Starbucks. The bigger one by Target with the cozy private corner, perfect for sitting alone, crocheting, or with a friend, conversing. 

How am I? You ask - I'm... conflicted =) When I really think about what my life is like right now I am thankful. I have a (almost) brand new Nephew who I love desperately and wish I could be with all the time! He is the cutest little guy you ever did see and I don't think I could have ever imagined how wonderful it is to be his Auntie. I'm engaged to the man of my dreams who loves me better than I even know how to say. Daily he shows me what it truly means to love sacrificially and unconditionally. September is when the big day is and it's only 6 months away, crazy! I have the best family - My sister (Graham, the nephew's mommy) who really is my best friend; her husband who is just like the brother I never had. My parents who love me and my three other sisters. I have a great church family, food to eat, a home to stay in, and much more. Sounds pretty incredible right?? And, it is, honest. 

The conflicted part? I'm ready to be married and even though 6 months will fly by, the days feel long and hard. Planning a wedding hasn't been exactly how I envisioned. Sadly, I've allowed it to stress me out why more than it should. Poor Nathan gets to deal with everything (which he has amazingly). I am also feeling distant from my Savior. (Wow, whose idea was it to be honest?) I'm trying to be more disciplined in spending time with Him and that has been a great encouragement, yet it's so easy to put other things ahead of Him. Slowly I feel Him drawing me back, but it is a slow process. =) 

Anyway, those have been my feelings lately =) I'm praying that I allow Joy to fill my heart because I really have so much to be joyful about! 

Thanks for joining me today and make sure to go over and read Rachel's post, it was such a blessing to my heart!
(I feel sad that I don't have any pictures in this post... Oh well, I guess I can't have some in every one...)

Until next time!

Anchor for my soul... {A blog makeover}

Life here has been... Full, interesting, stressful, fun, sad, happy, emotional, exciting, all mixed together with maybe a little more thrown in. 

Right now I'm not really sure where this blog and my Etsy shop fits in to this thing called life. Mostly I'm busy with wedding stuff, my new cute nephew, teaching, church. All that to say that this little blog is getting a makeover. I want it to become more of a personal blog where I record life for me and those in my life. There might still be some shop stuff, but that won't be the focus (especially since I really have no clue where my shop is going). 

Introducing - "Anchor for my Soul..." The new name reflects what has been on my heart recently and what I have been meditating on. I hope you enjoy this change and that it will be an encouragement to you as it has been to me!

Hebrews 6:13-20

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

Until next time...

P.S. The web address will be the same for a while, just to make things less confusing =)

Our Love Story - Part I

God truly does write beautiful love stories - Every time I think about Nathan's and mine, I am blown away by the way God wove (and is weaving) our lives together. The main reason I want to write this series on how we met and how we reached this point in our relationship is that I want to always remember. So I'm really kind of writing this for me, for Nathan, for our future children and grandchildren - but I'd love to have you all join me and I hope you enjoy it! (This is all from my viewpoint, but maybe someday I'll get Nathan to write something from his =) )

Let's go back to the year 2005 (wow, almost 10 years ago!) - 
I was 12 and so very excited because this year I was going to be able to be a Summer Missionary with Child Evangelism Fellowship's(CEF) Summer ministry: Christian Youth in Action (CYIA). A very sweet lady from my church was my area's coordinator for CYIA. I had known her my whole life - she had gone through my parents youth ministry and had babysat my sisters and I lots of times. Of course she recruited us for CYIA ;) In 2003 my sister Jaquelyn had been involved (I was too young) and had come back from the training loving it! My youngest sister was born in 2004 right before the summer, so my mom did not feel like she would be able to drive us to the CEF office everyday since Katheryn was a small baby. That meant I had to wait until this year and it had finally come! There are several different "levels" of Summer Missionaries (I'll try not to be too confusing!). 12 and 13 year old's are at the age of a JR missionary. You see... Summer missionaries would go to a training that was for the whole state of FL and learn how to teach bible clubs (called 5-Day clubs). When you get back you go out into the community of where you live with other young people and teach these 5-Day clubs to kids, sharing the good news of Jesus using various activities. As a JR missionary I would learn how to teach a missions story (about a missionary in the past) and a missions incentive (About missionaries actively working in the present and how the children could help support them) and also how to teach songs (in the present day - remember this was almost 10 years ago - the different "levels" have evolved, but that's not really the point of my story =) ) 

Anyway... Jaquelyn and I headed to the training in June, I would be going for a week and her for two weeks. We met all the staff and lots of other young people who attended. I also met Nathan. =) He was 12 too and also a JR missionary. That meant we took all the same classes together, but I really have no memory of that. All I remember of him is...

1. We had a recreation time at the end of every day and we would play sports, games, go to the cafe they had, etc. One night we were playing soccer and Nathan was playing. Nathan played soccer on a team and so he kind of took over telling people the rules (Now mind you, the following story is told from my little 12 year old self, I'm sure I blew it out of proportion - Read: I promise, Nathan is not a meanie =P). My cousin Jonathan (All his brothers attended CYIA at some point or another. We grew up together so we were/are pretty close) went to pick up the ball and I guess that was the wrong move. Nathan proceeded to tell him that and then put him in a choke hold! (I'm a girl, who was I to know boys do that sometimes??) Well, when I saw that my "motherly" instinct kicked in and I got sooooo angry at Nathan! Nathan refers to this year as the year I "hated" him - Poor guy...

My first year, 2005 Left to Right: Jessica (me), Andrea, Kayla (Two good friends from my church that I've grown up with)

2. I am a very emotional person. Like, VERY! Every night at training they also have a time called "Sing and Share" where, obviously, we would all gather to sing songs and then we would have a chance to share what God was doing in our lives. One of the nights I felt so led to share. I stood up, said, "My name is Jessica" and burst into tears! It was so bad I had to leave the room... But everyone knew my name (oh dear! =P). Afterward as I was leaving my dorm room I was walking past the boys floor (at that time boys and girls' rooms were in the same building but the girls were on the top floor and boys were on the second (it was a college dorm  building), so when the girls walked down the stairs to get to the bottom, they would pass the "balcony" part of the boys floor.) Nathan and a boy from my area were standing a little past the stairs. The one boy started to tease me about crying when he saw me, but Nathan stopped him - at the moment I think I put my "hate" away and saw him as a hero ;) Those are pretty much my only memories of Nathan that first year. 

2006 came along and Nathan moved up to the next level of missionaries (SR Missionaries, they learned the bible lessons and memory verses). He did a year early because his chapter was short of SR missionaries; but I stayed as a JR for my second year. Because of that we had almost all different classes so I pretty much lost touch with him. However he did become friends with Jaquelyn, so I remember him hanging out with her.

Training 2006, (my second year) Left to Right: Kayla (again), Abby (Another old friend from my church, although she moved not too long after this) and Jessica (me) 

Me and Andrea in between 5-Day clubs, 2006

Me with Andrea and people from my chapter between 5-Day Clubs, 2006

2007 was the year things really started happening, but all I will say for now is that a wheelchair started it all ;) To be continued...

P.S. I don't really have many pictures of these early years... but as we move along they should increase =)

{Fine Print - I have done my very best to remember events how they happened and when they happened but I cannot say I am 100% on the when. I guess what I am trying to say is that I don't want to be penalized if the time table is somehow a little different then how I recorded it here. All I know is that the main events definitely happened and I really am faithfully recording how I felt when they happened. You've been warned ;) )

Until next time...

Our Engagement Photo Shoot

Nathan and I were so blessed to be able to work with Melissa from A&M Photography for our engagement shoot. I've known her through friends and the school my church used to have and I am so thankful that she did our pictures! (She'll also be doing our wedding, which is a huge blessing!) We both love how they turned out =D 

Melissa and her husband were great to work with and really took into account our needs and wants. I can't wait for our wedding =D Make sure and check out her website!

Until next time...

We're engaged! 12.14.13

Can I tell you?? It is so wonderful to be Nathan's Fiance! To officially be, his future wife! I've dreamed of and wanted this day so much, when it actually happened it was so surreal, and amazing. =D I promised all the "juicy" details ;) so here we go!

We had planned for me to come down and spend the weekend with Nathan and his family and were planning on celebrating Christmas with each other. We always meet in Sarasota (halfway between me and him) and this Saturday was no different. All I knew about that day was Nathan was taking me someplace and he wanted me to bring a nicer outfit. I figured we were going to dinner or something to celebrate Christmas - little did I know ;)

The day started out with presents (He got me such nice ones!), a movie, playing with his cute nephew, talking to his mom annnnnd setting up my new IPhone 5C that Nathan got me =D After a little while, his older sister Abby got there and we got ready and headed out. Nathan finally told me we were going to a place in downtown Punta Gorda called Fishermen's Village. It was a super nice evening, not cold, but a great breeze. Fishermen's Village is by the water and was decorated so nicely for Christmas, it was fun! We explored a military museum and looked through lots of cute shops, winding up the visit with some delicious frozen yogurt - I was still pretty clueless. Plus Nathan warned me not to expect too much, the little sneaker =P

Aren't we cute??

After finishing our yogurt, we headed out to Gilchrest Park. Nathan and his sisters had spent a lot of time playing there in the "old days" and he said it would be nice to go walk around. The sun was starting to set and it was beautiful out over the water. We walked out on a dock before heading toward the Ponce De Leon fountain.

Nathan's original plan was to propose to me at a Gazebo that is there, but as we were heading to it Nathan saw there were people there. He changed to his plan B of doing it at the fountain - Abby knew about the Gazebo (where she was supposed to hide and take pictures while Nathan popped the question) but she didn't get Nathan's hint. 

We stayed at the fountain for quite a while until Nathan finally sent Abby to his car to try and get her to realize what was happening. Poor Abby! She thought she was sent to get the ring and that Nathan was waiting for her to get back with it. When she didn't find anything she got a little "frantic" haha! ;) Meanwhile, Nathan told me how much he loved me (very romantically =D) and asked if I wanted my last Christmas gift - uh, yes please! He had me close my eyes...

This is a reenactment ;)

Then when I opened them Nathan was on one knee, holding out a beautiful ring, and asked me to be his wife, oh my word! It was soooooo surreal! I was in shock (the very best kind of shock!), and was just barely able to get out the word "yes" (hey, that's pretty good =P) before I started crying ='D And I kept crying as we hugged.

It was so amazing, so special, and absolutely perfect - I asked Nathan if it was actually for real! I will always remember it =D Abby finally figured out that she wasn't supposed to get the ring and came over to take pictures for us - then Nathan asked me what kind of food I wanted for dinner and we headed to Carrabbas with Abby and met her husband there.

I called my sister and my parents, they were so excited for us! Jaquelyn was glad she didn't have to keep the secret anymore ;) 

Now, all of those things that I kept putting off because we weren't engaged, I get to do! And this September I'll become Mrs. Nathan Frook - wow! Soon I'll have to start the series on how we met and how we got to the engaged stage, excited to share that too!

Nathan Brian - I love you more than life itself and I cannot wait to become your wife! Thank you for making December 14th, 2013 such a happy, wonderful, special day =D and for my beautiful ring, too! I love you!

Until next time...

Philippians 3:13 - A verse for the new year

The new year has come and gone and with it the flurry of resolutions and new ideas and goals. The first few days of the year that was pretty much all I saw - the resolutions that people were making. I always get a little overwhelmed with everything I want to do better or things I want to start, etc. I'm assuming I'm not the only one who usually drops the ball around... January 14th. ;) The last Sunday before January 1st, my Pastor taught on Philippians 3:13 and the verses around it. It really impacted me and helped make those resolutions seem more reachable. =) 

Philippians 3:12-14

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Yesterday I watched my football team and favorite player (read, Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning) win the AFC Championship game against the Patriots. If you're a football lover you know what a big and exciting achievement that is - But, it isn't the end of the road - that, would be the Super Bowl. Can you imagine how easy it would be to get stuck in the happiness and greatness of a championship win? But a good football team moves on, keeping it's eyes on the ultimate prize. That same sentiment can be applied to a loss - What if the Bronco's had let themselves stay trapped in the loss against the Patriots in the regular season? They would have never been prepared for yesterdays game. 

Now, as much as I love talking football and Peyton Manning, I promise the above did have a point ;) 2013 was made up of victories and failures - great moments and sad moments - wins and losses. Can you see how easy it would be to get caught staying in those moments? Victories can cripple us because we rest on them, instead of striving for more of what God has for us, better and more amazing than we could ever imagine!

Past guilts hinder us because we're afraid of messing up again. As a believer, last year was not my end goal - this year is not my end goal; meeting my Savior as a good and faithful servant is my end goal.

This year, I want to be like a good football team, forgetting what lies behind (victories and failures) and straining for what lies ahead - That is my GOAL.

Until next time...

Welcoming the New Year!

Hello everyone! It seems like ages since I have sat down to blog and it feels so good! The break was so needed, but I am happy to get back into the swing of things. The Holidays were good to me and with them came some amazing changes. Just thought I'd share the last few weeks with you through pictures.

My Christmas season started off with some lovely gifts from two of my friends. (One which is pictured)

The second weekend in December, I got to go visit my (then ;) ) boyfriend, Nathan and his family. Even though I was fighting a cold, it was so much fun! Nathan got me the loveliest Christmas presents! This picture was taken at Fishermen's Village in downtown Punta Gorda where they have lots of fun decorations and cute little shops. It's by the water and it was lots of fun!

And then, the biggest, most wonderful news of all! The love of my life got down on one knee and proposed to me on 12/14/13! (Story will be coming soon!) It was perfect and a little surreal! I am so thankful for the way God has knit our lives and hearts together and I am so excited to begin the next part of our journey together.

My beautiful, absolutely perfect ring =D It is everything I imagined and more than I could ever want!

The Sunday after our Saturday engagement we went to a family birthday party and stopped at Nathans grandparents house so they could get a load of firewood. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a picture of three generations of Frook men. So thankful one is mine!

The next weekend he took me to see the Hobbit with some of my family! It was pretty good, although Nathan says we're harsh movie critics. It's true ;)

I finished my customized cross stitch designed by weelittlestitches on Etsy. It is absolutely perfect!

My sister Jennifer (far right) joined the Army in October, but she was able to come home on leave for the Holidays. We got some sister shopping in! She leaves today.

Gingerbread cookie making on Christmas Eve!

Christmas was amazing, as usual! I got some wonderful gifts, including that cute penguin mug =D and it was a good time of reflecting on my Savior.

Christmas is also my older sister's birthday! An old 23 year old =P

This past Sunday we celebrated my Pastor and his family for their 30 years of ministry leading our church. I love my pastor so much and they all have had such an impact on my life! Thankful for them.

Hopefully that caught all of you up on what my life has been like. =) I am so excited about all this year has for me! Lots of wedding planning too =D I'l be back to share with you my goals for 2014. I hope you all have a wonderful New Year!

Until next time...