My 2010

Today is December 30th and I thought I would through in one more post before it hits the new year! I know I have slacked a little bit with keeping it updated, but can you blame me with school, work, church, and keeping up an apartment and a husband?!? Yeah. Hahaha. :)

What a crazy awesome year it has been for me. God is soooooo amazing!

Here is just a small highlight of My 2010:

I married the most amazing man on the planet, Stephen Thomas Richardson on May 8th!

I become an Aunt again....TWICE!

Amber, Robbie, and Judah Joel, Shawna, Jace, Pierce, and Skyler

I went back to SEU this past semester

Then I decided NOT to go back after that semester LOL. :)

Gained another brother - Caleb! Love you, Man!!

Went on a much needed vacation in Wears Valley, TN with my hubbyStephen and I started Weight Watchers and joined The Rush (recommitted after the holidays lol)

Started looking for a house.

But above everything else, I give this all to the Glory of God! He has so richly blessed me this past year in 2010 and I want to give it back to Him.

So for this next year, I speak His favor, blessing, abundance, power, authority, grace, peace, love, and Holy Spirit presence to habitate in my life and in yours. And that whenever a door closes, another will open. One of my all-time fave poem is by Robert Frost. It says,

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference."

Many Blessings on 2011!!

Home Sweet Home

Friday afternoon, Stephen and I went to look at a house that is probably .1 miles from our apartment that we absolutely fell in love with!

Stats of House on Honey Grove Road (what a sweet name!):
1450 sq. ft.
3br
2ba
2-car garage
10x10 mud room
spacious kitchen
beautiful covered back deck with fan
carpet in the bedrooms!

We plan to make an offer on it in a couple of weeks. This is a great starter home and it needs virtually no work done to it since it's brand new! Probably the only thing would be cleaning out all the dust and everything, but I don't mind that! We had to do that with our apartment.

God is surely to thank for this! We both feel this was a God-thing, so we pray His favor and Will in this. :)

Thanksgiving Lunch: The Office Style

Today is the day we have our Thanksgiving lunch at work. We have Calhoun's cater the main dishes like turkey, ham, rolls, etc. and then have the employees bring side dishes and desserts. What a spledid week this will be! I can't say I am not looking forward to this feast because that would be LYING!

Today is also the day we are having our office's United Way campaign kick-off. We'll just be talking briefly before we eat. And apparently Mike Hamilton, UT Men's Athletic Director, will be here to talk about United Way. Also a local news station, WATE, will supposedly be here as well.

It's going to be a good day!

Video for Operation Christmas Child

Be inspired and make a difference!

Operation Christmas Child

For many years, my church family has been quite involved with Samaritan's Purse: Operation Christmas Child. What is Operation Christmas Child? It is where individuals, families, churches, and other organizations can come together to make a difference in the lives of many children around the world by taking shoe boxes and filling them with (acceptable) goodies, toys, hygeine essentials, and school supplies for Christmas. Samaritan's Purse takes all of the shoe boxes and ships them internationally to kids to can't/don't have a Christmas. By doing this, it gives these children a hope and also have a chance to receive the most beautiful gift of all: the message of Jesus Christ!

This year, Stephen and I did a shoe box for a girl 5-9 years old. One really cool thing now is Samaritan's Purse gives you an option if you want to follow where your shoebox is going! We definitely did that!

I look forward to tracking where our box is going. Lord, we bless that little girl that receives our box. That you would fill her with Your love, grace, joy, and peace. You are her strength. May she grow up to be a beautiful, healthy women of God who is on fire for you!

If you would like to learn more, check out samaritanspurse.org

Our Wedding Vows

I thought I would share Stephen and I's vows because...well....I want to! I got these vows from Jason Illian's wedding back in 2007. He was on the Bachelorette and was a virgin when he got married a few years ago. Him and his wife Alisha, have 2 beautiful children!

Here they are:

Vows - Stephen(groom)

When I say I love you,

I’m not just making you my wife,

I’m making you my best friend,

My last dance, my only hope, and forever lover.

When I say I love you,

I’m not claiming to have all the answers,

I’m praying that together

We’ll ask all the right questions.

When I say I love you,

I’m not just expressing a feeling,

I’m solidifying a commitment

And I’ll spend my whole life to proving it to you.

When I say I love you,

I’m not repeating “'til death do us part,"

I’m promising to be with you forever

In this life and the life to come.

When I say I love you,

I’m not just voicing mere words

I’m expressing how I’ve been surprised, challenged, engaged

And humbled—realizing that soul mates really do exist.

When I say I love you,

I’m not giving you human love

I’m pouring out God’s unconditional, sacrificial love

Dying to self, in hope that I can better serve you and honor you.

Abby, you are an undeserved blessing, a gift from God, and a dream realized. Much of my heart is closed to everyone in this world—but I open it to you. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that I don’t have one without you. Just know that when I say I love you, I love you.

Vows – Abby (bride)

When I say I love you,

I’m not just making you my husband,

I’m making you my strong tower,

The family leader, my heart’s protector, and my goodnight kiss

When I say I love you,

I’m not just standing before family and friends,

I’m kneeling before Christ our Savior

Praying that His grace will knit our lives together

When I say I love you,

I’m not just adding your last name,

I’m subtracting our loneliness, dividing our sorrows

And multiplying our joys so that two can become one

When I say I love you,

I’m not asking you to make me whole,

I’m asking you to stay focused on God

And through His power and will, together we’ll be made holy

When I say I love you,

I’m not expecting happily ever after,

I’m preparing to hike the mountaintops and the valleys,

Swim through the joys and the sorrows, battle the good times and the bad

To make a life with you

When I say I love you,

I don’t want a big house or a fancy car

I just want to live in your arms and touch your heart

And dream bigger dreams than we could do separately

Stephen, you are the man of my dreams—a real-life knight in shining armor. My heart is never experienced such peace, and I never feel closer to God than I do when I’m with you. I may not be perfect, but I believe that we fit perfectly together. Just know that when I say I love you, I love you.

187 Days / 4511 Hours / 270701 Minutes

I have been married this amount of time. Almost 7 months! I still can't believe that I am married. Stephen and I will joke around because we stop in the middle of anything sometimes to say "Guess what? We're married." It's quite funny. Have you have had one of those moments that your just like, "Woah."? When I say it, I don't mean it in a bad way. It is an amazing experience!

So with this being said, I have had quite a few people ask me: "So how's married life?" Let me just go ahead and answer this question:

I love, Love, LOVE married life! Since the moment I said "When I say I love you..." I haven't regretted one milisecond of it. Has it been challenging? Yes. Is it lots of work? Yes. Is it worth it? Heck yes! Stephen and I have had our fights (some worse than others) and we have also had some amazing moments together. It takes quite a bit of communication in a marriage to make it work. And especially God and His Holy Spirit guiding us. Let me just tell you there is nothing more sexy than seeing your husband or wife worshipping and praying to God! It makes me love him even more because he takes the time to spend that time with God.

No matter if you have been married 7 months or 70 years, you will ALWAYS learn something new from and about your spouse. For example, we feel that the Lord is wanting us to buy a house now and when we went to go see the one on Double Tree Road which was over 2300 sq. ft., that made him nervous about having that much space. I on the other hand was excited with all the posilibilities it had and all the different things I can do to design/decorate it!

I have also learned that there will be misunderstandings. This correlates with the paragraph above too because men and women do not think the same way. There will be times that Stephen will send me an e-mail or a text about something and I totally interpreted it a different way and vice versa.

Another thing I have learned is that no matter what miscommunications, "discussions," etc we have had, we know we love each other. I know that if we have a disagreement that neither one of us are going to leave or walk out. We are each others constants. :)

So in closing, I love being married to Stephen. He is my heart's desire and my best friend. I love making him laugh and seeing the sparkle in his eyes when he talks about his dreams, goals, and aspirations. And even when he talks about banking. :)

Blessings,

Abby

Possibilities

I dwell in Possibility—
A fairer House than Prose—
More numerous of Windows—
Superior—for Doors—

Of Chambers as the Cedars—
Impregnable of Eye—
And for an Everlasting Roof
The Gambrels of the Sky—

Of Visitors—the fairest—
For Occupation—This—

The spreading wide of narrow Hands

To gather Paradise—

~Emily Dickinson

Possibilities. I love possibilities. I dwell in posibility. But above all that, I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me. Without Him, NOTHING is possible. I am thankful that I have Him.

In the movie "The Last Holiday" with Queen Latifah, she made a Possibilities Book. When I was younger, I would get bridal magazines and plan my dream wedding. It got to the point where I had too many magazines and I needed to consolidate. What I did was out of each magazine I tore out the things that I liked and pasted it into a big blank scrapbook. When I finished over a period of several months, I had filled up the entire book and also almost 1/2 of another one! The first book is so big that the binding came off. I plan to keep it for my daughter(s) to look at and get inspired. And it's a great memory.

I have been thinking of starting two more Posibilities Book - one for my creative side and the other for home decor. I might just end up doing the creative one though. We shall see! I kind of view the Posibilities Book as a way to creatively put down your dreams, aspirations, goals, ideas, thoughts, and everything else on paper. I know the Lord has put a creative theme in me and I need to get it out! Sometimes I wouldn't have done anything creative/crafty for a while that I have to just sit down and do it before I explode or lose what I was thinking. It definitely helps when you can put it on paper.

Do you have a Possibilities Book? If so, what do you see possible?

Blessings,

Abby

Dream Closet

Can I say, "DREAM CLOSET" ?!? This is a pretty fantastic walk-in beaudoix (sp?). The proud owner of this piece of heaven is Megan of Honey We're Home. You go girl! :)

Here she is in all her glory. Yes, it's okay to cry.

A Gem

While I was doing my normal routine of checking out Better After's Blog, I stumbled across a true gem of a blog. This blog, Playing Sublimely, is so awesome! I absolutely love her sense of style, wit, and just her overall positive attitude. What an incredibly sweet, godly family. Amy, you are a true inspiration to me! :)

I still can't get over how beautiful her house is!!! From the inside out!

Here are some before/after photos:

Before

After

Here is the inside stair/foyer area. Stunning!

Before

After

Look at this architectural detail of the arched hallway

I can't say enough of how much I love these front doors

I can just imagine the grandeur, warmth, and love pouring out of this home. And it feels like a home. Thank you Amy for letting me "in" to your home!

Blessings,

Abby

Wanted: A House

I am hoping we will have a final word today whether we are going to make an offer on the house or not. We called last night and found out that if we want any concessions as far as the price, we would have to use Carrington Mortgage Services for our loans. And if we wanted to go with someone else for our loan, we forfeit all concessions. This is so incredibly stupid!

What we have decided to do is if they won't accept another pre-approval letter from our own lender, we will walk and find another house. Granted, I really love this house, but I want what God wants and that is the best thing I could ever want, need or have.

We trust God completely!

Double Tree - Update

I just got off the phone with Robert, our realtor, about trying to get ahold of the mortgage people to get an approval letter to even make an offer on the house. He had talked with the realtor the house was listed with and he had the info that we needed it, but never gave it to him. I just got it and couldn't get ahold of him. Plus, we just found out that there is another offer that is being put together that they haven't been able to get the approval letter either. Needless to say we are feverishly trying to get our letter and make an offer!

I am praying the Lord's will and favor in this. Either way, we know this is a God thing. :)

Will keep you posted.

Lone Tree to Double Tree

This past week has been quite interesting. Last Wednesday our realtor, Robert, tried to call me completely out of the blue. We haven't really talked with him in months since we decided we wanted to stay in an apartment for a while longer until we could save up some money and pay off debt. After he called and left a voicemail, he sent me an e-mail requesting that I look at the house he sent. Apparently the price had dropped by $40K and he said this was the best deal he has seen in West Knox. So, I looked at the house he sent and it is incredible!

Here are the stats:

2358 sq. ft.

4 br

2-1/2 ba

2-car garage

Fenced backyard with shed-like building

Incredibly safe, quite, upkept neighborhood

Asking Price: $145,900

To be honest, I really loved this house! So, I told Stephen and we decided it would be at least worth going to look at. So, on Sunday we went with my parents, my "grandparents," and Robert. After taking a thorough look around, it appears that everything that needs to be fixed is all cosmetic. This house is valued at $201, 000 and if we just update the kitchen and bathrooms, it would already be worth more than what we paid for it! If we get this house, we would never have to move unless we have like a dozen kids (which I don't necessarily see happening!).

And the best part about it is that I have always wanted a place that I could design and decorate. This is my chance, my project! I am so excited! I plan to blog about it. :)

PS. This is truly a God-thing because we weren't expecting to buy a house right now. And everything seems like a go with it. Praise God! :)

Thankful Poem

There is so much to be thankful for
in every closed and opened door,
For my eyes cannot see what lies ahead,
But my God is the Guide instead.

For when trials come and trials go,
I will always forever know
With a gentle touch and lamp in hand,
He leads me through this dark-filled land.

I walk not alone but together with Him
Even through the roads that are dim.
For every step and every stride,
Is for His glory and not for mine.

So with my eyes I keep on You,
Looking back I will not do.
For forward is the way to go,
Because You chose this path I know.

Judah Robert Jenkins

Tuesday, my best friend and her husband Robbie gave birth to their first baby, Judah Robert Jenkins!! He was born around 1:30PM on September 28th weighing in a whopping 8 lbs 9oz and 20 inches long.

The Happy Daddy and Mommy with Judah!

Reality

It's hard to believe it's already been almost 2 weeks since our vacation!! But such an amazing time it was. The picture above is one of the ones I took. Isn't it beautiful?! God is just so amazing. It was so nice to get away from reality for a while.

This picture was taken when we were at Dixie Stampede. What an awesome show!

Well, now it's back to reality!!

Blessings,
Abby

It's Friday!!

T.G.I.F. Ya'll!!! I had to put this picture in because it's just too darn funny! I think this is a photo I also saw on awkwardfamilyphotos.com. You should check it out!

I am so thankful it's Friday! I am also VERY THANKFUL we both get Labor Day off. It's going to be a great weekend full of homework, list-making for the trip, house work, and church activities!

I know I haven't been able to write anything in a while. It's because I have been extremely busy getting my husband set up for classes this semester. And that has been a challenge! I will definitely be posting about the experience. But, the story does end good; he is registered for classes. :)

Also, since I started my classes August 23rd, I have been trying to do extra work since we are going on vacation in (drum roll please!) 9 days and I don't want to fall behind. Plus, one of the classes I am taking, Quantitative Methods for Business, is kicking my butt! But, I know the Lord will help me with this....and my husband. He is good at this kind of thing and hopefully he can explain it to me in a way that I can! Haha. Just think: I get to enjoy another Quantiative Methods class after this one. YAY! (sarcasm at it's best.)

Well, I just wanted to say HAPPY FRIDAY and that I will hopefully update soon. It's gonna be crazy!!

Blessings,
Abby

Hart to Hart

Last night Stephen and I went to Wal-Mart to see if we could get the 2nd season of Big Bang Theory. As we were looking I came across the 2nd season of Hart to Hart!!!!! My mom had introduced me to this show when she bought the 1st season. I watched the first episode and I was hooked! I would watch that season over and over again. I just love it! So, I am sure you could imagine my excitement when I saw this. :)

If you have never seen Hart to Hart - you need to!

Blessings,
Abby

39 Days Until We are "Alone at Last"

Yep, you read right! 39 days until we are "Alone at Last"!! Since we didn't get to take any time off for our honeymoon when we got married, we rented a cabin in Wears Valley, TN for a week September 11-18. And it's called "Alone at Last." I mean, look at it!! It's AWESOME! I am so ready to just slow down and relax. We plan to go to Dollywood, Dixie Stampede, Pancake Pantry, and some shopping. But, I am just looking forward to spending time with my husband and just doing NOTHING. Of course, the 2nd season of Fringe comes out that week we are away, so we may bring our Blue Ray player to watch it! I have always been a "g0-go-go!!!" type of person; always busy. It will be nice to just slow way down for week.

Here are just a few pics of the cabin. I plan to take plenty when we are there and will blog about it when I get back!

Blessings,

Abby

Singin' the Rain

What a stark contrast as I look out the window at my fave hideaway, Blackbird Coffeehouse. And of course, drinking my Irish Cream Latte. I only have to buy one more until I get one free! WooHoo! Ok, back to my point. :)

Last week, it was beautiful, sunny, happy, and cheery. Today? It is overcast, gray, pouring rain.....and alive. It may be gray and pouring rain, but life is STILL good. When I was on my way over (in pouring rain), I started to think of what sorts of things I would write in my blog today. My mind was blank until I thought of what I wrote last week verses this week and how sunny it was and this week the complete opposite....but how life is STILL good. I STILL have a lot to be thankful for and I am STILL amazingly blessed. That will never change.

Then it hit me. In life, people feel blessed, content, and that life is good when their life is sunny and beautiful. Why shouldn't they? But when the rain and storms come, the whole atmosphere changes. They can have a tendency to feel gray, overcast, and almost like a person stuck in the middle of a rainstorm with no umbrella. They don't feel so blessed anymore. Like their mood is dependent on the things that are going on in their life.

I started thinking of the rain storms that occur in most if not everyone's life and how we need them....to grow. I look around outside and see green and colors everywhere. They couldn't be thriving the way they are if they didn't have the rain too. They need the rain, both good and bad kind, so that they can grow and mature into the beautiful plant/creation the Lord has made them to be. It makes me think of the song by MercyMe "Bring the Rain":

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

As a believer in Jesus Christ, through the storms and pouring rains in my life, HE is my umbrella. It makes me think of Psalm 91, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty..." Even though we are In and going THROUGH the rain in our life, we will not be negatively affected but only if we choose to rest in the shadow of the Almighty. It says in Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."

What an amazing blessing and promise! Earlier this week I was listening to scriptural songs on different scriptures pertaining to faith. It says in Deuteronomy 28 that if we obey the Lord, he will COMMAND blessing to come upon us and our land! All we have to do is obey! Thank you, Father! And that with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible!!!!!

Praise God!!

So when we are going through rainy seasons, just keep singing! Because the Lord is your strength and your Refuge....and umbrella! It will only help you grow.....and continue eating the manna the Lord has provided for you so you don't grow weak and weary during this time. You will come through it! It will only make you stronger if you should to obey and following God. He not only is he the light and the lamp unto our feet, but he is our salvation! He shows and lights the way for us, but also provides and prepares us with His salvation!

Blessings,
Abby

One for One

In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers.

Since our beginning in May 2006, TOMS has given over 600,000* pairs of shoes to children in need, through the purchases of caring customers. *As of April 2010

One for One

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS One for One business model transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:

* A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
* Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
* Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.


The first time I had ever heard of Toms Shoes was when I went to SEU's National Leadership Forum during my Spring Break last year. I was so enamored by this cause and getting to hear Blake speak. He actually won an award from my school for everything he has done! Toms has grown tremendously since it started and continues to amaze me. They are coming out with more styles and choices. What I love is that for one, they are extremely comfortable, and they are versatile in the sense that they can be created into whatever the owner wants! Paint it. Glitter. Draw. Anything! They also just came out with super cute wedges. Not only am I making a fashion statement, but I am also helping one more child have a pair of shoes. And to me, that is the greatest gift!

And here is a picture of my very first Toms I ever bought. :)

So if you want to start making a difference, one pair of shoes at a time, you can either get these at www.tomsshoes.com or by stopping by Alter'd State in Turkey Creek! They have a good selection there.

Blessings,
Abby

When A Heart Breaks

I woke up this morning
And I heard the news
I know the pain of a heartbreak
I don't have answers
And neither do you
I know the pain of a heartbreak

This isn't easy
This isn't clear
And you don't need Jesus
Til you're here
Then confusion and the doubts you had
Up and walk away
They walk away
When a heart breaks

I heard the doctor
But what did he say
I knew I was fine about this time yesterday
I don't need answers
I just need some peace
I just need someone who could help me get some sleep
Who could help me get some sleep

This isn't easy
This isn't clear
And you don't need Jesus
Til you're here
Then confusion and the doubts you had
Up and walk away
They walk away
When a heart breaks

This isn't easy
This isn't clear
And you don't need Jesus
Til you're here
Then confusion and the doubts you had
Up and walk away
They walk away
When a heart breaks


I just love this song! I love the piano. He is a very talented musician and artist.

Enjoy.

Blessings,
Abby

Bon Appetit

This past week Stephen hasn't been feeling well, so being the good and loving wife that I am, I was going to take care of him and have a cooked meal when he came home. While at work, I thought of different things that I could make and decided on chicken with pasta and broccoli. When I got home, I cleaned the kitchen, picked up the living room, etc. All the while watching "One Night with the King" on Hulu. So good so far. WRONG.

Realizing it was almost 7PM, I decided to start on dinner. I forgot the chicken was in the freezer and it was very much a solid mass. I ran it threw warm water for several minutes before I had to karate chop it into squares. Then since I had thoughtfully put oil and water in the pan with the chicken and put the lid on it, it POPPED off. Scarred me so bad! So, as I am attempting to multi-task and cook different things...yes, you guessed it, the fire alarms start going off. GREAT. So, at this point I had to stand on my couch to try to turn it off....good thing is, I figured out HOW to turn it off. LOL.

So Stephen finally gets home from work and I told him my very eventful cooking experience. He slightly laughed. I will admit, cooking is one of the things that I feel VERY inadequate in. I am working on it though! And trying to build my confidence....and skills! Haha. Stephen actually ate it and said it wasn't bad, so I guess that is something! :)

Blessings,
Abby