This week, God prompted 2 of my dearest friends (one who is in England and one who is hundreds of miles away) to message me words of encouragement and Truth from His Word...neither aware of the other or of the perfect timing in its delivery. It was so humbling to experience how God had orchestrated the words from each into such harmony...an incredible reminder of His love and attention to the little details of my life.
(Taken from A Holy Experience by Ann Voskamp)
"The darkness doesn’t understand the light, doesn’t comprehend the light, doesn’t get the light, doesn’t overcome the light, doesn’t master the light. Darkness doesn’t have anything on light, on hope, on faith. The pit of depression that plunges deep doesn’t go deeper than the love of your Jesus and there is no place His light won’t go to find you, to save you, to hold you. That low lying storm cloud that hangs over you can’t master the light of Christ that raises you. (John 1:5)
"While others run fast, you can just shuffle with perseverance.
While others impress, you can simply press on.
While others stop for the dark, you can run through the dark."
(Taken from the Good Morning Girls- Intentionally Focused devotion)
"Your life is a race…not a sprint but more like a marathon. You will have days when your race in life is going well, but like in every race…you will have hard spots. Don’t let past mistakes, regrets or unforgiveness hold you down any longer. Throw the pain, the hurt …the weight off. Give it to Jesus and then RUN. Run free, sweet friend, in this amazing race we call life! Focus on Jesus. Don’t get sidetracked by those who are on the sidelines. Some may be cheering for you. Others may be yelling at you telling you to stop, that the race just isn’t worth it, but don’t stop. Keep focused on Christ. Don’t be surprised by those who bring opposition in your life. And don’t feel like you are alone! You are not! Remember you have a great cloud of witnesses cheering for you every step of the way! Do not grow weary. Do not lose heart. Jesus understands what you are going through, cry out to Him. Fix your eyes on Him. He is there for you." (Hebrews 12:1-3)
May I cling to His promises and trust His perfect timing.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Sunday, October 20, 2013
6 Years.
Six years ago tonight I was laying in my bed in my childhood (well, more like teen-hood, but since that isn't a word, I'll stick with childhood) home in Wichita, Kansas filled with every imaginable emotion. My dad, mom and my 2 brothers and I had just finished praying together in what turned out to be an all-out cry-fest. It was the night before my wedding. We were all so excited for Andrew to join our family, so the tears were far from pure sadness...it was the reality that life was changing. When we finished praying, I remember us talking about how this was a bad indication of how dad was going to make it through the ceremony (for anyone who might be reading that isn't aware, my dad walked me down the aisle, gave me away, and then performed the rest of the wedding as Pastor). It turned out, we had released most of our tears while praying that night, and on the wedding day we all made it through the ceremony with minimal tears! It was a day full of celebration! Our families made it an incredibly special day! The day fter the wedding in Wichita, our families and entire wedding party had a reception in Springfield so we could celebrate with all of our friends who couldn't make it to the wedding. It turned out awesome- we all got to wear our dresses/tuxes twice (great deal!) and I got to pick out two different wedding cakes! It was an incredible wedding weekend!
We have lived in 7 different residences in 6 years (yikes!) between Springfield, Missouri; Wichita, Kansas; and Beeston, Nottingham, England.
Traveling is something we both love to do and since we said I do, Andrew and I have been blessed with an incredible adventure. We have traveled to Florida, North Carolina, New York, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Iowa, Minnesota, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, (and of course our home states of Kansas and Missouri); the Bahamas; Nottingham, London, Southampton, (and a few other cities) England; Edinburgh, Scotland; Paris, France; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Dublin, Galway, Cork, Ireland; and traveled across the Atlantic Ocean via The Queen Mary. Seeing that list seems like life our life together has been nothing but a dream, yet we have endured some very difficult trials. But, today I am focusing on the blessings God has given us.
It hasn't always been clear why certain things have happened, but God has been faithful. A year of job searching turned into nearly a year of living abroad full of the deepest friendships we could imagine. This is a story I need to sit down and detail so we will always remember the way God orchestrated the events. It is humbling and exciting all at once, and thinking about it all brings tears of thankfulness to my eyes.
Andrew, thank you for being a loving and faithful husband. Your friendship and loyalty are some of my favorite qualities about you. Your ability to learn is truly a gift. I am always in awe of your knowledge...sorry for not always listening as you try to share it. ;) You are a dreamer and continue to stretch my realist mind frame. You are an inspiring writer and I believe it is going to open a lot of doors in our future. You are an old soul who loves simple things. Your faith is so strong and you encourage me to keep on believing when mine is weak. You are rarely at a loss for words, yet you are a great listener and communicate in a way that makes people feel special. You make me laugh and smile. I am so grateful for the love story God has written between us...I hope there are many more chapters! The past 6 years have flown by...I can't wait to hop on a plane and continue traveling the world together! <3
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanksgiving.
Today, I am thankful for so many things, and I've decided to do a list of one thing for every year of my life...(*in somewhat chronological order...not necessarily order of importance!)
1. I'm thankful that the Lord blessed me by allowing me to be born into a Christian home where I knew of and heard about His love for me before I could even understand it. I am thankful for my salvation at a young age which, no doubt, kept me from a lot of the heartache many experience in life. I don't say that boastfully, but humbly, recognizing God's grace and goodness to me.
2. I am thankful that God blessed me with a husband who loves me, but loves the Lord more. Andrew is so smart and gifted. I'm grateful for the 5 years of marriage God has blessed us with and for the amazing journey we are on now while he works on his PhD.
3. I am thankful for my parents and for being able to personally witness their selfless service to the Lord my entire life. The ministry is more than a full-time job, yet, even in their constant working, our family was always the priority. I have watched them show grace to people who have been deeply hurtful, and I hope that because of their example, I too can be a gracious person.
4. I am thankful for my Dad who has always been my biggest cheerleader and encourager. I am so thankful for the time he took to be my Coach in high school and invest not only in my life, but also in the lives of my friends. I am grateful that he is in better health than he has been and am proud of his hard work.
5. I am thankful for my Mom who is my best friend. She is busier than any other mom I know, yet always managed to keep our home tidy and fix us dinner. She is so thoughtful of others and makes anyone she knows feel special by remembering their birthday or offering sympathy and encouragement.
6. I am thankful that when I was only 3 months old that God moved our family back to Wichita, Kansas. Most people who meet me find out quickly I'm a Kansas girl, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It is home, and there is just no place like it.
7. I am thankful for a close family. I honestly can't imagine a better childhood than the one God blessed me with. I will always treasure our family vacations and the memories made driving to all 48 continental states together.
8. I am thankful for my brother, Michael. It was clear at a very young age that he would be a leader, and the success that God has blessed him with at such a young age in being a City Councilman and now State Senator, has solidified that. I'm so proud of him. He is such a people person, and I admire his ability to make friends.
9. I am thankful for my brother, Tyler. He was the baby of the family, so I often tried to play the mom role, but I'm grateful for the little things like convincing him #14 was the best jersey number, in which he listened to me. I'm also grateful for his sweet wife, Katie, and that when he married her, I gained not only a sister, but a friend.
10. I am thankful for grandparents who were part of my life so significantly growing up. I got to see them on Sunday mornings and nights, Wednesday nights, and usually one or two other days during the week. That gift is one I will always cherish.
11. I am thankful for Grace Baptist Church which is full of people who invested in me and prayed for me my whole life. Very few experience the blessing of the same church their entire life, and I feel so privileged that God allowed this in my life.
12. I am thankful for growing up at Sunrise Christian Academy and the solid education and good friends I made during all of my school years there. I have such fond memories of volleyball and basketball games, road trips and State Championships.
13. I am thankful for my parents paying for a year of Bible college for my brothers and me, and the friendships I made because of that. Many hear the rules of BBC and roll their eyes, and although I too can be guilty of that, it was an incredible year and I made some of my best friends for life there.
14. I am thankful for one of my best friends, Crystal, who I met while we played volleyball together at BBC. We have been roommates and apartment neighbors, and she has been loyal to me for the past 12 years.
15. I am thankful for one of my best friends, Rachel, who I also met at BBC. We spent the summer of 2005 together in Thailand and I will always look back on that summer fondly.
16. I am thankful for my in-laws. I always hoped that I wouldn't have one of the typical in-law relationships where you can't stand each other, and God blessed me by giving me the exact opposite. Marrying into the Albritton family added a best friend into my life, and I'm so grateful for their love and support.
17. I am thankful for the Master's degree God allowed me to pay for as I went. I look back on those years and truly, 100%, have no idea how I lived on so little and yet didn't take out a loan. It is a testament of God's provision.
18. I am thankful that God provided for Andrew to get his Master's degree without paying a penny for it. His hard work allowed him to get his degree without us going into debt, and I am so grateful for that.
19. I am thankful that in the midst of a hard year when we didn't understand why Andrew couldn't find a job, that God provided me with a job that I loved. Watching Link and Hawk was a joy and my heart overflows with gratitude to God for placing them into my life. I miss those boys dearly.
20. I am thankful that God gave Andrew the desire to pursue a PhD and that the Lord opened the doors for us to move to England.
21. I am thankful that the desire to live overseas and do ministry is being played out in our lives right now. Although we are not in full-time ministry, God is opening doors and we are confident He has a plan for us living in England, aside from Andrew's education.
22. I am thankful for the details God worked out in allowing us to move to England. Even though there have been bumps in the road, we have seen God's hand over and over. I am grateful for Kia and Negin, who we had only heard about through a mutual missionary friend, taking us into their home while we found a place to live.
23. I am thankful that God provided us with an amazing apartment. I have been meaning to blog the details of how it was undeniably God who orchestrated us being able to move in here. It is the perfect home with nice appliances and the most ideal location we could have ever dreamed of, had we even known what we were most wanting in a home.
24. I am thankful for the church God has given us in England where we have made friends and are settling in. It is amazing to know we can be thousands of miles away from our regular church routine, yet still praising the same God. It is a good reminder of God's worthiness, that no matter where we are or who we are surrounded by, He deserves to be praised.
25. I am thankful for technology. It is amazing to be living on a different continent than our family and friends and yet still be able to talk, even more than that, to see each other face to face while we talk. It is a blessing that makes life over here much easier.
26. I am thankful for America. I am thankful for the freedom we have and for the little things that we often take for granted. If there is anything we have learned in our time here, it is to appreciate the conveniences of America. Life is just easier in America, and I know I don't thank God for the little things nearly enough.
27. I am thankful for the ability to travel. I love to travel, and since leaving America in September I have been to Nottingham, England; Amsterdam; Paris; London; and Edinburgh, Scotland. I recognize that few people ever get to see other parts of the world, and I am so grateful that God is allowing me to do so.
28. I am thankful for holidays. I have so many fond memories of holidays growing up, playing with cousins at our grandparents house, and eating lots of yummy food. I'm also thankful that even though we're not always together, we can look back and remember the good times.
29. I am thankful for Dr. Pepper. I know it is a silly thing to be thankful for, but I love it. And I can't wait to have it out of a fountain with lots of ice when I'm back in America at Christmas.
30. I am thankful for Kansas Basketball. Again, I know it is quite trivial, but I enjoy the thrill and excitement of basketball, and my loyalty keeps me anchored to Kansas.
31. I am thankful that in 21 days we'll be in London boarding a plane to come home for the holidays. I am excited to be reunited with family and friends and celebrate Christmas together.
I know I am blessed, yet I often don't take the time to be grateful. My prayer is that I will be more thankful and mindful of God's goodness and blessings in my life.
1. I'm thankful that the Lord blessed me by allowing me to be born into a Christian home where I knew of and heard about His love for me before I could even understand it. I am thankful for my salvation at a young age which, no doubt, kept me from a lot of the heartache many experience in life. I don't say that boastfully, but humbly, recognizing God's grace and goodness to me.
2. I am thankful that God blessed me with a husband who loves me, but loves the Lord more. Andrew is so smart and gifted. I'm grateful for the 5 years of marriage God has blessed us with and for the amazing journey we are on now while he works on his PhD.
3. I am thankful for my parents and for being able to personally witness their selfless service to the Lord my entire life. The ministry is more than a full-time job, yet, even in their constant working, our family was always the priority. I have watched them show grace to people who have been deeply hurtful, and I hope that because of their example, I too can be a gracious person.
4. I am thankful for my Dad who has always been my biggest cheerleader and encourager. I am so thankful for the time he took to be my Coach in high school and invest not only in my life, but also in the lives of my friends. I am grateful that he is in better health than he has been and am proud of his hard work.
5. I am thankful for my Mom who is my best friend. She is busier than any other mom I know, yet always managed to keep our home tidy and fix us dinner. She is so thoughtful of others and makes anyone she knows feel special by remembering their birthday or offering sympathy and encouragement.
6. I am thankful that when I was only 3 months old that God moved our family back to Wichita, Kansas. Most people who meet me find out quickly I'm a Kansas girl, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It is home, and there is just no place like it.
7. I am thankful for a close family. I honestly can't imagine a better childhood than the one God blessed me with. I will always treasure our family vacations and the memories made driving to all 48 continental states together.
8. I am thankful for my brother, Michael. It was clear at a very young age that he would be a leader, and the success that God has blessed him with at such a young age in being a City Councilman and now State Senator, has solidified that. I'm so proud of him. He is such a people person, and I admire his ability to make friends.
9. I am thankful for my brother, Tyler. He was the baby of the family, so I often tried to play the mom role, but I'm grateful for the little things like convincing him #14 was the best jersey number, in which he listened to me. I'm also grateful for his sweet wife, Katie, and that when he married her, I gained not only a sister, but a friend.
10. I am thankful for grandparents who were part of my life so significantly growing up. I got to see them on Sunday mornings and nights, Wednesday nights, and usually one or two other days during the week. That gift is one I will always cherish.
11. I am thankful for Grace Baptist Church which is full of people who invested in me and prayed for me my whole life. Very few experience the blessing of the same church their entire life, and I feel so privileged that God allowed this in my life.
12. I am thankful for growing up at Sunrise Christian Academy and the solid education and good friends I made during all of my school years there. I have such fond memories of volleyball and basketball games, road trips and State Championships.
13. I am thankful for my parents paying for a year of Bible college for my brothers and me, and the friendships I made because of that. Many hear the rules of BBC and roll their eyes, and although I too can be guilty of that, it was an incredible year and I made some of my best friends for life there.
14. I am thankful for one of my best friends, Crystal, who I met while we played volleyball together at BBC. We have been roommates and apartment neighbors, and she has been loyal to me for the past 12 years.
15. I am thankful for one of my best friends, Rachel, who I also met at BBC. We spent the summer of 2005 together in Thailand and I will always look back on that summer fondly.
16. I am thankful for my in-laws. I always hoped that I wouldn't have one of the typical in-law relationships where you can't stand each other, and God blessed me by giving me the exact opposite. Marrying into the Albritton family added a best friend into my life, and I'm so grateful for their love and support.
17. I am thankful for the Master's degree God allowed me to pay for as I went. I look back on those years and truly, 100%, have no idea how I lived on so little and yet didn't take out a loan. It is a testament of God's provision.
18. I am thankful that God provided for Andrew to get his Master's degree without paying a penny for it. His hard work allowed him to get his degree without us going into debt, and I am so grateful for that.
19. I am thankful that in the midst of a hard year when we didn't understand why Andrew couldn't find a job, that God provided me with a job that I loved. Watching Link and Hawk was a joy and my heart overflows with gratitude to God for placing them into my life. I miss those boys dearly.
20. I am thankful that God gave Andrew the desire to pursue a PhD and that the Lord opened the doors for us to move to England.
21. I am thankful that the desire to live overseas and do ministry is being played out in our lives right now. Although we are not in full-time ministry, God is opening doors and we are confident He has a plan for us living in England, aside from Andrew's education.
22. I am thankful for the details God worked out in allowing us to move to England. Even though there have been bumps in the road, we have seen God's hand over and over. I am grateful for Kia and Negin, who we had only heard about through a mutual missionary friend, taking us into their home while we found a place to live.
23. I am thankful that God provided us with an amazing apartment. I have been meaning to blog the details of how it was undeniably God who orchestrated us being able to move in here. It is the perfect home with nice appliances and the most ideal location we could have ever dreamed of, had we even known what we were most wanting in a home.
24. I am thankful for the church God has given us in England where we have made friends and are settling in. It is amazing to know we can be thousands of miles away from our regular church routine, yet still praising the same God. It is a good reminder of God's worthiness, that no matter where we are or who we are surrounded by, He deserves to be praised.
25. I am thankful for technology. It is amazing to be living on a different continent than our family and friends and yet still be able to talk, even more than that, to see each other face to face while we talk. It is a blessing that makes life over here much easier.
26. I am thankful for America. I am thankful for the freedom we have and for the little things that we often take for granted. If there is anything we have learned in our time here, it is to appreciate the conveniences of America. Life is just easier in America, and I know I don't thank God for the little things nearly enough.
27. I am thankful for the ability to travel. I love to travel, and since leaving America in September I have been to Nottingham, England; Amsterdam; Paris; London; and Edinburgh, Scotland. I recognize that few people ever get to see other parts of the world, and I am so grateful that God is allowing me to do so.
28. I am thankful for holidays. I have so many fond memories of holidays growing up, playing with cousins at our grandparents house, and eating lots of yummy food. I'm also thankful that even though we're not always together, we can look back and remember the good times.
29. I am thankful for Dr. Pepper. I know it is a silly thing to be thankful for, but I love it. And I can't wait to have it out of a fountain with lots of ice when I'm back in America at Christmas.
30. I am thankful for Kansas Basketball. Again, I know it is quite trivial, but I enjoy the thrill and excitement of basketball, and my loyalty keeps me anchored to Kansas.
31. I am thankful that in 21 days we'll be in London boarding a plane to come home for the holidays. I am excited to be reunited with family and friends and celebrate Christmas together.
I know I am blessed, yet I often don't take the time to be grateful. My prayer is that I will be more thankful and mindful of God's goodness and blessings in my life.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Summer. And Memories.
Before I jump into life in England, I need to mention a few of the highlights leading up to our departure.
At the end of May, we were able to spend an entire week at home in Wichita which flew by as fast as a regular weekend trip home, but nevertheless, was a sweet time with family. We celebrated Tyler and Katie's birthdays and I was also able to go on a quick day trip to Clinton, Oklahoma with my mom, dad, and Michael to put flowers on my Grandma Walker's grave. It is hard to believe she has been gone for 13 years. She was a strong woman, yet meek. She did not loudly voice her opinions, but she stood her ground. She was the most talented seamstress. I wish I would have valued her amazing ability more fully when I was young. She made the best chocolate chip cookies and chocolate sheet cake. I miss her dearly. It makes me sad that my memories of her are not as vivid as they used to be, but I am proud to be part of her heritage. At the end of our week home, we celebrated my Grandpa O'Donnell's wedding. This also made me miss my Grandma O'Donnell. She was a strong woman who was fierce. Not fierce in a negative way, but fierce in her love and passion. She was not afraid to voice her opinions, and often did. She was a wonderful cook and made cooking for masses look simple. I'm so blessed that in the summer of 2009 (the year before she died) while we were living in Wichita that I had the opportunity to cook with her on every Wednesday night before church. I miss her deeply. Losing both of my grandmas has changed the entire dynamic of our extended families...what used to mean huge groups of people gathered around the table for holidays, now means finding random times here and there where we can all get together. Holidays are a mixture of sweet memories and sad longings without them, but it has strengthened the ties of my immediate family, which I didn't even recognize was possible until this transition happened.
Back to summer. Most of my summer was spent nannying two little boys who stole my heart. I am thankful for a job that I loved, and even miss. Summer was also spent playing lots of mini-golf with Andrew and my best friend, and occasionally a few other friends. We celebrated the 4th of July with Andrew's family and friends, a tradition that has become a dear holiday. There were the other usual summer fun activities of the pool, dinner with friends, and shopping. I also had a close friend come visit us in Springfield which was a wonderful time. In August, we were home to celebrate Michael's birthday and winning the primary election for the Kansas State Senate! We were back home again to celebrate my birthday in September which was also the day we finished our paperwork for our visas for England! Some sweet friends gave us an awesome going away party- Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest themed! The next week was spent saying our goodbyes and packing for our move. The reality was setting in and we were excited! I did not let myself get too emotional because I knew we would be home in 3 months, and with the tool of technology, I knew I would stay in close contact with my family, and that we would be home before we knew it. (Well, here we are, I'm typing a recap of summer, and we are exactly 1 month away from our flight back home, and indeed, it has flown by!)
At the end of May, we were able to spend an entire week at home in Wichita which flew by as fast as a regular weekend trip home, but nevertheless, was a sweet time with family. We celebrated Tyler and Katie's birthdays and I was also able to go on a quick day trip to Clinton, Oklahoma with my mom, dad, and Michael to put flowers on my Grandma Walker's grave. It is hard to believe she has been gone for 13 years. She was a strong woman, yet meek. She did not loudly voice her opinions, but she stood her ground. She was the most talented seamstress. I wish I would have valued her amazing ability more fully when I was young. She made the best chocolate chip cookies and chocolate sheet cake. I miss her dearly. It makes me sad that my memories of her are not as vivid as they used to be, but I am proud to be part of her heritage. At the end of our week home, we celebrated my Grandpa O'Donnell's wedding. This also made me miss my Grandma O'Donnell. She was a strong woman who was fierce. Not fierce in a negative way, but fierce in her love and passion. She was not afraid to voice her opinions, and often did. She was a wonderful cook and made cooking for masses look simple. I'm so blessed that in the summer of 2009 (the year before she died) while we were living in Wichita that I had the opportunity to cook with her on every Wednesday night before church. I miss her deeply. Losing both of my grandmas has changed the entire dynamic of our extended families...what used to mean huge groups of people gathered around the table for holidays, now means finding random times here and there where we can all get together. Holidays are a mixture of sweet memories and sad longings without them, but it has strengthened the ties of my immediate family, which I didn't even recognize was possible until this transition happened.
Back to summer. Most of my summer was spent nannying two little boys who stole my heart. I am thankful for a job that I loved, and even miss. Summer was also spent playing lots of mini-golf with Andrew and my best friend, and occasionally a few other friends. We celebrated the 4th of July with Andrew's family and friends, a tradition that has become a dear holiday. There were the other usual summer fun activities of the pool, dinner with friends, and shopping. I also had a close friend come visit us in Springfield which was a wonderful time. In August, we were home to celebrate Michael's birthday and winning the primary election for the Kansas State Senate! We were back home again to celebrate my birthday in September which was also the day we finished our paperwork for our visas for England! Some sweet friends gave us an awesome going away party- Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest themed! The next week was spent saying our goodbyes and packing for our move. The reality was setting in and we were excited! I did not let myself get too emotional because I knew we would be home in 3 months, and with the tool of technology, I knew I would stay in close contact with my family, and that we would be home before we knew it. (Well, here we are, I'm typing a recap of summer, and we are exactly 1 month away from our flight back home, and indeed, it has flown by!)
April Showers bring May Flowers.
So, it turns out, I'm terrible at keeping a blog. And it's not even because I have nothing exciting to share. I guess it's because typing from an ipad takes FOR.EV.ER. but then I can't even use that as an excuse as I now have an external keyboard. So now begins the hard part of where to even begin.
As I came back to my blog, this was a post I had started, and never returned to...for 6 months! Whoops. But for my own sake, I'm going to do a quick version of what I think I had intended to share all those 6 months ago.
April began with a bang. KU won their first game in the Final Four against Ohio State and were playing for the National Championship in New Orleans against Kentucky! We had toyed with the idea of going to the Final Four, but my mom and dad couldn't really get away, and I was nervous to spend that much money on tickets, only to be stuck with tickets for the Championship game if KU lost...I mean, I knew they could do it, but this team had already far exceeded expectations for the season, so yes, I did have my doubts. However, they did win and were playing for THE National Championship. In true O'Donnell fashion, we made a trip of it! My dad had to preach on Sunday morning and my mom had to get lesson plans ready for a sub, so they didn't leave Wichita until Sunday afternoon around 3. They came to Springfield, and we (my parents, Tyler and I) piled into our Suburban and drove through the night. The extra space allowed us to spread out and get decent rest when it wasn't our turn to drive. Andrew's sister and her family live on the Northshore of New Orleans, and they graciously allowed us to sleep a few hours and shower once we arrived at 6 am. They had made awesome signs welcoming us and cheering for KU along with us! It was so sweet! I'll never forget this trip. Before the game, we got caught in a rain storm and were soaking wet, but it just added to the insanity of the trip! Although KU didn't win, it was an amazing experience! I am so glad for such spontaneous and passionate family members...the only thing that would have made it better is if Andrew, Michael, and Katie would have been able to go with us. Oh, and KU winning, too, I suppose!
April also meant Easter. And a weekend in Kansas City with my mom, mother-in-law, and best friends seeing Beth Moore. This is also the only time I've ever slept in between my mom and mother-in-law, but it makes me smile every time I think about it. April also meant Andrew's birthday...the last blog I managed to post.
The May flowers began with an actual trip to a seed store in Mansfield, Missouri with my mother-in-law and a dear friend. We bought zinnias and planted them in my in-laws front garden...they turned out to be a sight to behold this summer! Andrew and I spent Mother's Day weekend on a road trip to Dallas with his parents which was so much fun! Then, on May 15, our hard year of not knowing what we were supposed to be doing and wondering why Andrew hadn't found a job came to an end. Andrew did a Skype interview with a professor from the University of Nottingham who was interested in his research proposal, and during the interview, she offered him a place to begin his PhD work under her supervision! We were ELATED! We have always had a heart to go overseas, but we never really knew what God wanted us to do. We knew that this was His will, and were excited to embark on a new adventure. May ended with me getting to be home 3 weekends in a row, which is the rarest of treats for me! It was an exciting time in our lives!
The dark, heavy clouds were being lifted, and we were surrounded by signs of hope. A new adventure. The showers had brought bouquets of flowers bursting through at just the right moment. God is so good. We still don't fully understand why we had to wait so long, or exactly what He was teaching us during that year and 2 days after Andrew finished his Master's, but we are CERTAIN that it was not in vain, and that His goodness goes above and beyond what we deserve.
As I came back to my blog, this was a post I had started, and never returned to...for 6 months! Whoops. But for my own sake, I'm going to do a quick version of what I think I had intended to share all those 6 months ago.
April began with a bang. KU won their first game in the Final Four against Ohio State and were playing for the National Championship in New Orleans against Kentucky! We had toyed with the idea of going to the Final Four, but my mom and dad couldn't really get away, and I was nervous to spend that much money on tickets, only to be stuck with tickets for the Championship game if KU lost...I mean, I knew they could do it, but this team had already far exceeded expectations for the season, so yes, I did have my doubts. However, they did win and were playing for THE National Championship. In true O'Donnell fashion, we made a trip of it! My dad had to preach on Sunday morning and my mom had to get lesson plans ready for a sub, so they didn't leave Wichita until Sunday afternoon around 3. They came to Springfield, and we (my parents, Tyler and I) piled into our Suburban and drove through the night. The extra space allowed us to spread out and get decent rest when it wasn't our turn to drive. Andrew's sister and her family live on the Northshore of New Orleans, and they graciously allowed us to sleep a few hours and shower once we arrived at 6 am. They had made awesome signs welcoming us and cheering for KU along with us! It was so sweet! I'll never forget this trip. Before the game, we got caught in a rain storm and were soaking wet, but it just added to the insanity of the trip! Although KU didn't win, it was an amazing experience! I am so glad for such spontaneous and passionate family members...the only thing that would have made it better is if Andrew, Michael, and Katie would have been able to go with us. Oh, and KU winning, too, I suppose!
April also meant Easter. And a weekend in Kansas City with my mom, mother-in-law, and best friends seeing Beth Moore. This is also the only time I've ever slept in between my mom and mother-in-law, but it makes me smile every time I think about it. April also meant Andrew's birthday...the last blog I managed to post.
The May flowers began with an actual trip to a seed store in Mansfield, Missouri with my mother-in-law and a dear friend. We bought zinnias and planted them in my in-laws front garden...they turned out to be a sight to behold this summer! Andrew and I spent Mother's Day weekend on a road trip to Dallas with his parents which was so much fun! Then, on May 15, our hard year of not knowing what we were supposed to be doing and wondering why Andrew hadn't found a job came to an end. Andrew did a Skype interview with a professor from the University of Nottingham who was interested in his research proposal, and during the interview, she offered him a place to begin his PhD work under her supervision! We were ELATED! We have always had a heart to go overseas, but we never really knew what God wanted us to do. We knew that this was His will, and were excited to embark on a new adventure. May ended with me getting to be home 3 weekends in a row, which is the rarest of treats for me! It was an exciting time in our lives!
The dark, heavy clouds were being lifted, and we were surrounded by signs of hope. A new adventure. The showers had brought bouquets of flowers bursting through at just the right moment. God is so good. We still don't fully understand why we had to wait so long, or exactly what He was teaching us during that year and 2 days after Andrew finished his Master's, but we are CERTAIN that it was not in vain, and that His goodness goes above and beyond what we deserve.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Birthday Boy.
Today, April 25, is my husband's birthday. So this blog is in honor of him- my best friend and spiritual leader.
Michael Andrew Albritton, Junior, I'm so grateful/thankful/blessed/overjoyed to know you. Here is a list of some of the things I love about you...
*On a superficial note, I'm thankful you go by Andrew because it would be confusing calling you by the same name as my dad or brother. ;)
*You are wise beyond your years. And I'm thankful that the wisdom you possess is from above and not earthly wisdom.
*I am thankful that in the midst of such a trying and difficult year that you have remained faithful and devoted to our Savior, and me.
*Your persistence in finding the good in circumstances often frustrates my pouty attitude and reminds me of Romans 8:28...thank you for that.
*Your smile is infectious. And the best around. :D
*You are so smart, but not in an arrogant way. (For those who might be reading this blog that don't know how we met, it was in a Latin class, and I referred to him as "the little brainiac in the front row." {Note- he is younger than me, and was only in high school at the time. Weird, I know. But we didn't start communicating or dating until 4 years after this class...so it wasn't weird by then.} ;P)
*You are a loyal friend, who forgives easily.
*You are a nerd...and have no problem owning it. XD
*You are patient with me everyday, even at my worst.
*You bring out laughter in me when I would otherwise be crying.
*You remind me frequently to have "mercy over justice." Which you are so much better at than me.
*You love to study God's Word and discuss it with your dad and my dad.
*You are a movie lover, but not obsessed. And for as little as I like movies, I appreciate that balance.
*You are a night owl...like me.
*You are a loving son and respect your parents.
*You embraced my family as your own, and are a true friend to my brothers which is one of my proudest things to say about you.
*You became a Jayhawk fan for my sake, and along the way found yourself enjoying the games.
*You are humble, yet confident.
*You drive the coolest car around.
*You are a writer and an author of numerous pieces that have tremendous potential.
*You are a willing servant who rarely says "No" to a request for help, even if you don't know what you're doing. aka- Kingdom Cup Kids Soccer ;)
*You invest in people who might not be invested in otherwise.
*You are an avid reader which means there are always new topics to be discussed.
*You are a conversationalist, through and through. ;)
*You never care what you look like, but always look good.
*You vowed, "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death do us part." and you have been completely faithful to that vow.
*You are genuine.
*You are funny.
*You are supportive.
*You have never given up on trusting God's plan, even though at times it has not been evident what that is.
*You don't love to celebrate, but you humor me, and let me make a big deal out of things.
*You are the real deal...there is nothing about you that has to be hidden.
*You are a dreamer.
*You are creative.
*You are a hard worker, and somebody is going to be lucky to have you on their team.
*You are well-educated, and on your way to becoming even more so.
*You remind me that circumstances that seem overwhelming will not last forever.
Thank you, Andrew, for being a husband I could go on and on writing good things about...you are all of these and many more.
I honored your request and did not plan a surprise party of any kind inspite of not having any family to celebrate with us this year...but it was difficult. Because I do love a good party! So you're welcome. :)
Happy birthday, Andrew! I love you!
Michael Andrew Albritton, Junior, I'm so grateful/thankful/blessed/overjoyed to know you. Here is a list of some of the things I love about you...
*On a superficial note, I'm thankful you go by Andrew because it would be confusing calling you by the same name as my dad or brother. ;)
*You are wise beyond your years. And I'm thankful that the wisdom you possess is from above and not earthly wisdom.
*I am thankful that in the midst of such a trying and difficult year that you have remained faithful and devoted to our Savior, and me.
*Your persistence in finding the good in circumstances often frustrates my pouty attitude and reminds me of Romans 8:28...thank you for that.
*Your smile is infectious. And the best around. :D
*You are so smart, but not in an arrogant way. (For those who might be reading this blog that don't know how we met, it was in a Latin class, and I referred to him as "the little brainiac in the front row." {Note- he is younger than me, and was only in high school at the time. Weird, I know. But we didn't start communicating or dating until 4 years after this class...so it wasn't weird by then.} ;P)
*You are a loyal friend, who forgives easily.
*You are a nerd...and have no problem owning it. XD
*You are patient with me everyday, even at my worst.
*You bring out laughter in me when I would otherwise be crying.
*You remind me frequently to have "mercy over justice." Which you are so much better at than me.
*You love to study God's Word and discuss it with your dad and my dad.
*You are a movie lover, but not obsessed. And for as little as I like movies, I appreciate that balance.
*You are a night owl...like me.
*You are a loving son and respect your parents.
*You embraced my family as your own, and are a true friend to my brothers which is one of my proudest things to say about you.
*You became a Jayhawk fan for my sake, and along the way found yourself enjoying the games.
*You are humble, yet confident.
*You drive the coolest car around.
*You are a writer and an author of numerous pieces that have tremendous potential.
*You are a willing servant who rarely says "No" to a request for help, even if you don't know what you're doing. aka- Kingdom Cup Kids Soccer ;)
*You invest in people who might not be invested in otherwise.
*You are an avid reader which means there are always new topics to be discussed.
*You are a conversationalist, through and through. ;)
*You never care what you look like, but always look good.
*You vowed, "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, til death do us part." and you have been completely faithful to that vow.
*You are genuine.
*You are funny.
*You are supportive.
*You have never given up on trusting God's plan, even though at times it has not been evident what that is.
*You don't love to celebrate, but you humor me, and let me make a big deal out of things.
*You are the real deal...there is nothing about you that has to be hidden.
*You are a dreamer.
*You are creative.
*You are a hard worker, and somebody is going to be lucky to have you on their team.
*You are well-educated, and on your way to becoming even more so.
*You remind me that circumstances that seem overwhelming will not last forever.
Thank you, Andrew, for being a husband I could go on and on writing good things about...you are all of these and many more.
I honored your request and did not plan a surprise party of any kind inspite of not having any family to celebrate with us this year...but it was difficult. Because I do love a good party! So you're welcome. :)
Happy birthday, Andrew! I love you!
Friday, April 6, 2012
March.
So I totally dropped the ball on posting lately. And it wasn't even because I didn't have anything to write about because it has been an eventful month! But first I'll explain a little about why I LOVE March. And due to my delinquency in posting, this post will probably be extra long, so brace yourself. Or just stop reading now...I'm doing most of this post for the sake of my own memory anyway. :0
March Madness. The Big Dance.
I LOVE it.
At a very young age, I began playing basketball. It quickly became a love of mine. Not only playing, but also watching. I became a HUGE fan of Kansas Basketball in junior high, and my loyalties still remain. College basketball (although "corrupt" in some regards) is (in my opinion) one of the purest forms of teamwork I've ever been a part of or witnessed. Don't misunderstand that statement. I LOVED every bit of my high school basketball experience, and wouldn't trade it for anything. We were back-to-back State Champions! But coming together as a team wasn't all that difficult. Many of us had gone to school together since elementary, we were blessed with supportive parents and we were bonded together as sisters in Christ. It was a unique experience, and being part of that team is one of my favorite parts of growing up. But creating a team out of individuals who do not share common education experiences or socioeconomic statuses or zip codes is something that I love to witness. In fact, because of this strong affection toward college basketball, I always thought I wanted to be a college basketball coach. I was blessed to be part of the Lady Bears program while attending (Southwest) Missouri State University, which I LOVED. It was an incredible experience. But it also made me realize that I did not want to live, sleep, eat, and breathe college basketball which is what coaching requires. Being part of an NCAA Division 1 program, I realize the time and effort that goes into making a team, and March is the culmination of it all. So this is a glimpse into why I look forward to March. But sometimes the expectations of March can leave me "heart broken" (which I know is a very dramatic choice of words, but just go with it) and wishing it wasn't over. It's the uncertainty and the possibilities that make March one of my favorite months. And March 2012 did not disappoint. But it was more than just the Madness that made it memorable, so here are some highlights* (meaning I'm restraining myself from including the everyday mundane details of work). ;)
*March 2-4, Andrew and I took a road trip with his parents. We enjoyed shopping and eating on the Plaza and going to see the Jayhawks play on Senior Night! It was such a FUN weekend away! KU clinched the Big 12 regular season championship (by 2 games!) for the 8th STRAIGHT year!
*March 7-10 was the Big 12 Tournament. KU lost in the semi-finals which was a disappointment, but I was hopeful it might be a catalyst to end the season well...
*March 11 was Selection Sunday and KU was picked as a #2 seed in the Midwest Region. As far as I could tell, this was a good fit to make an extended run in the Big Dance...
*March 16 was the first test for KU...against Detroit. Win. Still alive. Still dancin'.
*March 17 is always a fun day for our family because we are Irish. And my mom came to Springfield to spend part of her Spring Break with me!
*March 18 was the 2 year anniversary of my Grandma O'Donnell passing away and I couldn't stop wishing, selfishly, that she was still here. After church, my mom and I drove down to Branson and did some shopping at the outlets. We love our retail therapy! Later that night, KU had it's second test of the tournament against Purdue and it didn't look hopeful for the majority of the game. But the last 45 seconds, the Jayhawks pulled ahead and won. Still dancin'. Sweet 16!
*March 23 was the next game for KU against North Carolina State. They were playing in St. Louis and I had the opportunity to buy tickets for the games there, but I was prudent and resisted the urge. The Jayhawks once again pulled from behind and won. Still dancin'. Elite 8!
*March 25 was an epic game for KU with a rematch against our former coach, Roy Williams, and his North Carolina Tar Heels who we beat in 2008 on our way to the National Championship! Win. Still dancin'. FINAL 4!
*March 29 was a reprieve from basketball. Andrew and I drove over to Tulsa for the day with his parents. Our reason for going was to see the Pioneer Woman for the release of her new cookbook, but the boys roamed Barnes & Noble instead of joining us. Sybil and I loved meeting Ree Drummond and having her sign our cookbooks! She was so nice and personable- I have video on my iPad of our interaction as proof!
*March 31 was KU versus Ohio State. The Jayhawks had already played the Buckeyes in December and won...but OSU was without their star player that game, so there was a bit of added pressure coming into the game. We had friends over to watch with us, and it was an intense game! KU pulled it out and finished out March strong. Win. Still dancin'. National Championship Game!
-It was at the conclusion of this game that plans started falling into place for my parents and Tyler and I to head to New Orleans for the Championship game! Andrew's sister and her family live on the North Shore of New Orleans and they had kindly offered to let us stay in their home. But this post is about March and beyond this point, it was April, and the details of what followed are crazy enough to merit its own post. I promise I won't wait a full month to post again and it will be less of a play by play of my life- and the Jayhawks. But it was necessary, for my sake, to do so for March.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
March Madness. The Big Dance.
I LOVE it.
At a very young age, I began playing basketball. It quickly became a love of mine. Not only playing, but also watching. I became a HUGE fan of Kansas Basketball in junior high, and my loyalties still remain. College basketball (although "corrupt" in some regards) is (in my opinion) one of the purest forms of teamwork I've ever been a part of or witnessed. Don't misunderstand that statement. I LOVED every bit of my high school basketball experience, and wouldn't trade it for anything. We were back-to-back State Champions! But coming together as a team wasn't all that difficult. Many of us had gone to school together since elementary, we were blessed with supportive parents and we were bonded together as sisters in Christ. It was a unique experience, and being part of that team is one of my favorite parts of growing up. But creating a team out of individuals who do not share common education experiences or socioeconomic statuses or zip codes is something that I love to witness. In fact, because of this strong affection toward college basketball, I always thought I wanted to be a college basketball coach. I was blessed to be part of the Lady Bears program while attending (Southwest) Missouri State University, which I LOVED. It was an incredible experience. But it also made me realize that I did not want to live, sleep, eat, and breathe college basketball which is what coaching requires. Being part of an NCAA Division 1 program, I realize the time and effort that goes into making a team, and March is the culmination of it all. So this is a glimpse into why I look forward to March. But sometimes the expectations of March can leave me "heart broken" (which I know is a very dramatic choice of words, but just go with it) and wishing it wasn't over. It's the uncertainty and the possibilities that make March one of my favorite months. And March 2012 did not disappoint. But it was more than just the Madness that made it memorable, so here are some highlights* (meaning I'm restraining myself from including the everyday mundane details of work). ;)
*March 2-4, Andrew and I took a road trip with his parents. We enjoyed shopping and eating on the Plaza and going to see the Jayhawks play on Senior Night! It was such a FUN weekend away! KU clinched the Big 12 regular season championship (by 2 games!) for the 8th STRAIGHT year!
*March 7-10 was the Big 12 Tournament. KU lost in the semi-finals which was a disappointment, but I was hopeful it might be a catalyst to end the season well...
*March 11 was Selection Sunday and KU was picked as a #2 seed in the Midwest Region. As far as I could tell, this was a good fit to make an extended run in the Big Dance...
*March 16 was the first test for KU...against Detroit. Win. Still alive. Still dancin'.
*March 17 is always a fun day for our family because we are Irish. And my mom came to Springfield to spend part of her Spring Break with me!
*March 18 was the 2 year anniversary of my Grandma O'Donnell passing away and I couldn't stop wishing, selfishly, that she was still here. After church, my mom and I drove down to Branson and did some shopping at the outlets. We love our retail therapy! Later that night, KU had it's second test of the tournament against Purdue and it didn't look hopeful for the majority of the game. But the last 45 seconds, the Jayhawks pulled ahead and won. Still dancin'. Sweet 16!
*March 23 was the next game for KU against North Carolina State. They were playing in St. Louis and I had the opportunity to buy tickets for the games there, but I was prudent and resisted the urge. The Jayhawks once again pulled from behind and won. Still dancin'. Elite 8!
*March 25 was an epic game for KU with a rematch against our former coach, Roy Williams, and his North Carolina Tar Heels who we beat in 2008 on our way to the National Championship! Win. Still dancin'. FINAL 4!
*March 29 was a reprieve from basketball. Andrew and I drove over to Tulsa for the day with his parents. Our reason for going was to see the Pioneer Woman for the release of her new cookbook, but the boys roamed Barnes & Noble instead of joining us. Sybil and I loved meeting Ree Drummond and having her sign our cookbooks! She was so nice and personable- I have video on my iPad of our interaction as proof!
*March 31 was KU versus Ohio State. The Jayhawks had already played the Buckeyes in December and won...but OSU was without their star player that game, so there was a bit of added pressure coming into the game. We had friends over to watch with us, and it was an intense game! KU pulled it out and finished out March strong. Win. Still dancin'. National Championship Game!
-It was at the conclusion of this game that plans started falling into place for my parents and Tyler and I to head to New Orleans for the Championship game! Andrew's sister and her family live on the North Shore of New Orleans and they had kindly offered to let us stay in their home. But this post is about March and beyond this point, it was April, and the details of what followed are crazy enough to merit its own post. I promise I won't wait a full month to post again and it will be less of a play by play of my life- and the Jayhawks. But it was necessary, for my sake, to do so for March.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
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