Things that I Love

So today I have been thinking about all the things I love and my heart is just a little overwhelmed and overflowing-- God has blessed me so much and I am forever grateful.  There are definitely things in life (little and big) that make me smile a real/true smile.  So today that is where my head and heart is... So without further waiting... Here are some of the things I love!

I love the way that my husband loves me and that his hugs can pretty much fix anything-- whether I am happy or sad it is the comfort of his arms that makes me feel safe while here on this Earth.

I love that my Heavenly Father is gracious and merciful and that He spoke to me so much through the One and a million bible study I just finished with my ladies women's group.  WOW is all I can say-- it was an incredible journey that God is definitely not finished with.

I love that the ladies in my group are real genuine women who go through every day life and try their best to seek after the Lord and have a pure and humble heart-- it makes my heart smile because my prayer before moving here is that I could find women to plug in with that loved the Lord and I have definitely found that with this group of Ladies! I love them all and am so grateful for having the opportunity to meet them all.

I love long hot showers and bubble baths.. silly I know but such a wonderful way to end the day.

I love a good book.  It is my way of winding down and passing the time with something I love to do. Nothing makes me more content than sitting down and becoming consumed in a book that I just cannot put down! Any good book suggestions you have please tell me -- I am always looking for a new good book!

I love a good long and hard workout -- it makes my body feel so much better afterwards and I feel as if I accomplished something... working out for me now has definitely gained a new perspective than it once was for me... it is all about trying to be healthy now and content with who God made me to be.. definitely a work in progress each day!

I love working with Laura (my pre-k sidekick) and just the pure joy and laughter she brings me each day and her love for the Lord is so incredible... without her I am not sure I would love teaching as much as I do today.  I also love the smiles and hugs on our sweet kids faces... it is absolutely priceless and I would not change meeting those sweet children for the world.

I love family dinners now that we are back in San Antonio.  The dinners are good for my soul and make me even more grateful for the family we have.  I love living close-- my heart is definitely content in that area!

I love pretty clothes and shoes (which I could definitely do without) -- BUT... nothing is more fun than getting dressed up for a date night with your man :)

I love sleeping... I could go to bed early and sleep late -- my body loves sleep!!!  (I am still not sure if this is a good or bad thing.. we shall see when we have kids one day-- my body may hate me... HAHA!)

I love candles and the smell they bring... especially the pumpkin cinnamon ones we have right now... DELICIOUS!  Seriously, it is the small things like this that I take for granted!

I love fall and the changing of the leaves (do not see that too much in Texas, but I still love the cold weather we get... eventually!)

I love that we have found a church that we both love and that the pastor brings the word of God each Sunday.  It is so comforting knowing that we feel God has brought us to a place that could be our church home -- it is so exciting and so many emotions rolled into one.. relying on God each step of the way.

I love cuddling with my husband after a long day-- doing nothing but just relaxing with each other.. it makes me so grateful for the times when there is nothing to do.

I love cooking.. it has become even more fun for me since we have moved to San Antonio.  I love making yummy healthy things and getting to enjoy dinner while talking to Reagan about our days-- definitely something I am catching up on since I missed those dinners all last year!

I love puppies/ dogs/ four legged furry cute friends. I want a dog so bad.  A small little one... that I can cuddle and love. I need one and I hope Reagan gets the picture sooner or later, or I just may go out and buy a dog and bring it home and say, "SURPRISE!!" ;) But seriously... I want a dog!

I love sweet new friends.  They warm my heart and I love the journey of getting to know new people.. such a sweet time of learning all about each other and where we have been!  It is so amazing to see how God is bringing so many new and incredible people into my life... I can only sit back and be amazed at how God is answering prayers that I felt were never really spoken but hidden within my heart... My Lord truly amazes me!

I love friendships that have been forever and lasted through thick and thin.  I love the familiarity of them and just how they make my heart overflow with pure joy... without these sweet friends I honestly do not know where I would be... God knew I would need amazingly sweet and bold friends like this in my life.

More than anything, I love what God is doing in my life right now.  I love that life is not all "roses" and that I am having to walk through difficult things/situations with people, but that God is teaching me new things about me along the way.  I am in a growing season of my life and for the first time ever I am excited to see where this journey may lead, and what kind of person I will be once I have walked through this journey... I am embracing who God is needing to mold me into.  I am coming to a place where I can feel God's hand in this journey and His Word is bringing me more comfort than I could have ever fathomed.  I am in a place where God is growing me leaps and bounds and I am loving the triumphs and tribulations I am having to walk thru to better learn how to overcome these obstacles so that I can be a better me that God needs me to be.

"Life is such a beautiful gift that we must stop and thank the Lord for all the blessings (big and small) that He has given to us."

Falling on my knees in Prayer

Wow, I do not even know where to begin, today has just been one of those days.
Two big things are weighing so heavy on my heart tonight.

The first thing is for my mom's sweet friend and her family.  I found out this afternoon that her 5 month old beautiful baby boy (their only child) stopped breathing while at the sitters and passed away this afternoon.  My heart hurts for this family and the only thing that brings me comfort is knowing that sweet innocent child is safe in the arms of my Savior.  I wish there were words I knew to say to this family, but I am at a complete loss for words -- there are no words to say to comfort a sweet family who lost their little boy so unexpectedly and suddenly.  Please just pray for this family and that God's peace and love would overwhelm them at this time of utter sadness. I know that God will provide all that they need if we lift them up to Him.

Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 18:1-2a, “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in 
whom I take refuge.”

The second big thing is I think I may have found/stumbled up an opportunity to apply for a practicum program this summer that could allow me to apply for an internship that I have wanted to do for quite sometime, but did not know that the opportunity could be available for me once we moved to San Antonio.  The crazy thing is that the practicum (would be first) and internship (would come second -- and would have to apply for this after I am accepted into the practicum) only accepts three people for the summer practicum and 2 people for the internship... so I have to outshine a lot of people to be picked... WOW that scares me in and of itself -- that is just intense!!  I know that if this is God's plan for me to do the practicum this summer that it will definitely happen, but it is scary for me as I begin to pray about it because I will be putting all my efforts into one place.

Oh yes... and on top of applying for this practicum I will also be studying to take my teaching certification so that I can still have that certification done and under my belt-- yes I know you all think I am crazy... I just LOVE kids so much, what can I say?! So my prayer is that as I seek wisdom from God for whether or not I should submit all the information needed to be evaluated for the practicum that I would hear God's voice and follow the direction He is laying before me.  As I also go through this journey, my prayer is that God will give me the strength, determination and wisdom I need to pass my certification test. Sorry, I know that was a lot to digest -- it is a lot for me to even be able to put into words sometimes!!

Psalm 18:6a, "In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help.”

I know that God is working in a mighty way in and thru out my life and that I need to allow myself to follow the directions He is giving me.  My prayer is that my Will aligns with God's and if it does not that I allow myself to see what God has in-store for me that will be even better.
I have lots to pray about and I am ending the night with a heavy heart and a lot on my mind.  If y'all could be in prayer with me, I would appreciate it so much! Love to all!!

Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and 
ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.”

Wednesday's

Every week I look forward to Wednesday.  On Wednesday nights I get the lovely opportunity to go to a Bible study at a friends house and learn about God's word with other ladies who all have such a burning passion for God and learning how to love Him and grow with Him more each day.  When I very first got invited to this Bible study by a lady from my school I was hesitant because I knew no one but her (and I had just met her when school started, but we had mutual friends so I knew I would LOVE her).  Well, since we have moved to San Antonio God has been stirring in my heart that I need to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people.  So, when Kacee (my friend from school) invited me I said "Yes" because I knew this is the opportunity I had been praying about and waiting for.  Let me just tell you -- WOW.  I have learned so much from this study and from these ladies.  I am the youngest one in the group, but I do not mind at all.... these ladies have so much wisdom and are teaching me such wonderful things.  Their passions for the Lord amaze me -- even though their lives are so busy with a family and young kids they are teaching me how to make time to grow with God which is such a beautiful thing.  I am also loving learning about all the women and their lives and who they all are... they are all just so amazing.  Seriously, every Wednesday night I come home and tell Reagan that I hope I can gain as much wisdom as these women have -- they teach me so much and our study is diving so deep.  The study we are doing is about being in the wilderness and learning what God is trying to teach you through the season by drawing closer to Him.  The study is called One in a Million and it is by Priscilla Shirer and it is exactly what I needed for where I am in life -- if you haven't done the study I highly recommend it -- it has opened my eyes to how to draw closer to God thru the different/difficult seasons of life.  So tonight, I am very grateful that God placed me on Kacee's heart and that she invited me to the study -- I am loving these women and loving that through this study I am falling even more in love with my God.

I hope everyone is doing well and that this week is bringing much joy and happiness!  I know here in San Antonio we are all smiling because COOLER weather has arrived and a cold front is coming!! Oh and the Farish household is all smiles tonight because the RANGERS WON!!! Just one more game and we are going to the WORLD SERIES -- WOOHOO!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful night!  :)

"The wilderness is a season of life which God uses to remind us that He is yours and that we are His children; God is able to give us unspeakable Joy even in the most difficult seasons of life." - Priscilla Shirer, One in a Million

Just the two of us

Tonight Reagan and I had a date night!!! It had been a long week for both of us and we definitely needed some time spent with just each other.  We started our evening off at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in San Antonio, Aldacos!  It is delicious and the view is incredible :)  After dinner Reagan had the great idea to go to Target and buy a game we had never played before and then go to a coffee shop and hang out and play it -- he is trying to get creative with dates since we have been together for so long!!  Well, we got to Target and realized there are hardly any 2 person games -- so we wondered around for a while and finally decided his artsy/creative idea is not going to work... he tried to come up with something creative we hadn't done -- I give him props for that!  So with no game in hand we wondered to the costume section.  Reagan loves dressing up for Halloween and is always known for crazy costumes.  Though, he refrained tonight since he couldn't find the perfect one! HAHA.  So with no game, no Halloween costume or coffee in hand we decided to head to the outdoor mall and walk around and browse.  It was nice just to hold his hand and be together and just talk!  It was also great to walk around so that we could work off all the Mexican food from dinner! ;) Now we are at home cuddled up and watching a movie... nothing could be better than this! Even though our night didn't turn out like he had planned I loved every minute of just spending time with my hubby and loving on him.

"It is the simple things in life that make a girl the happiest in the world."

Weekend WhirlWind

This weekend was just a little crazy busy but it was great to get to see friends we have not seen in a long while!

On Friday afternoon, we embarked on our road trip to Dallas.  A trip that we thought would only take about 4 1/2 hours ended up being almost 7 1/2.  The traffic was horrible in the most random places and Austin officially has too many people on the highway at crazy times of the day.  So when we reached Dallas let's just say we were a little stir crazy and wanted out of the car.  We stayed with our newly married friends Nathanial and Lindsey in their new apartment... absolutely adorable decor (LOVED their place)!!!  It was so great to catch up with them and just hang out-- we definitely miss them and wish they lived closer!

On Saturday morning, we had breakfast with our friends Jace and Karlie -- they had a busy day ahead of them so breakfast was the only option to see them and we were so grateful!  It was so nice to talk and just catch up and hear about all that God has in store for them!
After breakfast, we headed back to Nathanial and Lindsey's house for just a little bit longer so that we could hang out for a little bit more and then we said our good-byes and headed to Mansfield for dinner and to see the Riggins Family!!
Reagan and I decided to do On The Border since we don't have those here in San Antonio (we have yummy Mexican food, don't get me wrong) but, On The Border was a place we went a lot for dates when we lived in Mansfield so it was nice to go back!
After dinner we got to see the Riggins clan (my Heart was filled with so much joy and love).  I miss this family so much and wish that they lived closer or that I could rearrange the states on the map and bring Oklahoma closer to San Antonio.  It was so great to catch up with them and just chat -- that is one of the things I miss most about not living 5 minutes away from them anymore!!  Even though our time was great with them, it was too short and I needed more time to love on them!  Hopefully a visit to see them will happen soon!
After yogurt, we went to visit our sweet friends Raniel and Shannon and see their new baby boy, Sawyer.  Let me just tell you I took full advantage of getting my baby fix in and I LOVED every minute of it!  Newborn babies smell so delicious -- I honestly did not want to leave or put him down!  He is such a handsome baby and we are so happy for this new addition for their family!
After I got my baby fix in, we headed to David and Coleen's house to spend the night.  We love this family so much and we were so grateful that they opened their house up to us!  We loved chatting with them so much that time flew and we didn't get into bed until way after 1am! Though, the time spent talking with them and loving on them is one thing I miss about not living close to them! We are definitely looking forward to their visit down to San Antonio soon!! :)

On Sunday, we went to church at our old church TCAL.  They were celebrating being a church for 5 years (Wow how time has passed so quickly, I can remember when as a church we were brand new).  It was so wonderful to see all our friends from church and just get to reconnect with them.  There was not enough time though for us to love on and talk with everyone which definitely made me sad!  Though, it was great to hear that our old church will be moving very soon to a new building to house their church-- such an exciting time for them and I know God is going to use this new church building for His greater good!
After church and visiting, we had lunch with Paul and Shannon and the Riggins and all the kids at Paul and Shannon's house.  It was great to just all sit around and hear what everyone has been up to.  After the short visit over lunch it was time for us to get back on the road, since we were fearful that it would take us a bazillion years to get back to San Antonio.  The drive home was long and it did take longer than we expected -- I wish we had a traveling time machine... that would definitely help with the long rides! Since we don't we just blare our music, chat with one another and just enjoy the company of each other!

All in all, it was a good weekend and it was wonderful to catch up with friends that we love and miss!  Though, it was so nice to be back home last night and have Reagan and I snuggled up in bed together -- nothing like being home and sleeping in your own bed!
Shout out to all our friends who opened their homes to us--- we were so grateful this weekend and we are so blessed to have you all in our lives!  To all our friends in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area... we miss you all greatly and wish we could have had more time to catch up -- hope to see you all again soon!

PS: I stink at taking pictures-- I totally have the great thinking of wanting to document all this fun stuff and then either forget to do it in the moment or feel like everyone will "hate"me when I say, "Ok let's take a PICTURE!!" So I need fun and creative ideas to do pictures so that I can document all these fun happenings with the people we love the most!

"Friends are a wonderful source of happiness."