Laying It Down

One of my very first CDs as a child was Jaci Velasquez's Heavenly Place. It was actually my mom's that she won on the radio and I recall looking through my parents's CDs trying to find it after hearing "On My Knees" on the radio. I just thought that song was the most beautiful thing that I'd ever heard and from that moment on, I found her music to be uplifting to me as a tween in middle school. I listened to that and her next few CDs on repeat throughout 7th and 8th grade. I continued to be a faithful fan and I still remember the CD release for Beauty Has Grace in 2005 when I was 15. My dad asked Family Christian Store if I could have the promo poster after the CD came out and they gave it to me. (What a sweet dad!) I had it hanging in my bedroom until I redecorated in college. At first, that CD wasn't my favorite. It was a very different style. I remember my dad telling me how good of a song "Lay It Down" was. At the time, I thought it was good, but I don't think I fully realized how truly beautiful it was. As I've gotten older, it's become clearer. But I have never needed to hear more than I did last Wednesday in the Miller's Expedition on our way back from kayaking. But let's back-track a bit...

Before my cousin's wedding in Indiana, I had an interview for a school district in my city that I really wanted to work for. Like, this was a big deal and an awesome chance for me. I walked out of the screening interview thinking I was done. But I got a call from the principal saying they wanted to give me a second interview. I was so excited (and terrified)! I did my homework and prepared as well as I could. The interview went fairly well, I felt confident in myself and I did my best. I waited all weekend and finally my phone rang on the ride back from kayaking. I couldn't answer in the car full of family, so I waited and listened to the voicemail. The words of the principal were incredibly kind and supportive. She told me that I was basically 2nd, in the nicest way possible. The reason I was 2nd, was due to that pesky lack of experience (which isn't really a fault). Goodness, the tears started pouring, and I tried to stop them. But I concealed them under my sunglasses and shrugged off my stuffy nose to allergies. But inside, my heart was breaking. I was texting my mom and praying. But then I saw Dennis' headphones and asked if I could borrow them (since he was using them). I didn't have much music on my iPhone, but "Lay It Down" happened to be one of the songs that I had downloaded for some reason. I hadn't really listened to it for awhile. So I put my head on D's shoulder and began listening. It was like this song was everything I was feeling. Like my heart was singing this song to God. And though the tears were streaming even more than before, I truly felt peace. And I still do. Does this suck? You bet. But just because this portion of my dream hasn't yet to be realized, doesn't mean it's dead. I just realized that I needed to let it go, to lay it down at God's feet and relinquish control. To just say, "Okay, Lord. I am giving you my future, my dreams, my career. You have a plan and I am ready to follow it. Lead me." Since that car ride, I have felt more peace about my career search than I have in a long time. I am excited to teach Pre-K for Head Start and I know that God is constantly working in me.

So, this is my prayer. This is where I am. I am laying it down every day, because that is all that I can do!

Family Wedding Fun!

This past weekend, we journeyed to South Bend, Indiana for my cousin Steffen's wedding to his beautiful (now) wife! It was a great weekend, though I am extremely tired today and grateful for a day to rest (sort of). There is still laundry, cleaning, and other household chores to do, of course!

Steffen has been a Notre Dame fan for, practically, ever. So getting married there was his dream. Typically, you have to be a current student or graduate to be able to get married there. At first, Steffen didn't realize this and it halted the wedding planning process for awhile. Then, a priest friend of his (who is the priest for the basketball team at ND), somehow was able to make everything work out for Steffen and Melanie. Basically, this never happens. They were extremely lucky!

The campus is beautiful. I had never been to Notre Dame before, so this destination wedding was both extremely fun and very educational! At first, the immense amount of construction on campus made things confusing. (We most definitely spent 20 minutes trying to find our dinner location for Friday night. Once we made it Legends, we were finally able to enjoy their amazing food! Can anyone say beer cheese burgers?)

But after we familiarized ourselves, it was easy to enjoy celebrating a marriage in a place so steeped in history. Steffen and Melanie got married in the Log Chapel, a cute little building near the lake.

There ceremony was absolutely beautiful. Steffen's face was so full of love when Melanie walked

into the chapel. The ceremony was beautiful and I was honored to sing the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation. Congrats, Steffen and Melanie!

After the ceremony, we had some down time for pictures before our tour of the stadium! Of course, we had to snap a husband/wife pic! 

The stadium was awesome! We got to see Touchdown Jesus from the suites and the field itself. We touched the iconic "Play Like a Champion Today" sign in the locker room! And of course, Curly Lambeau's plaque! GO PACK GO!

The reception was beautiful and located at South Dining Hall, which looked more like it should be at Hogwarts than Notre Dame. We had a great time dancing the night away with family and friends. An overall awesome wedding! 

Obligatory family picture that I absolutely love!

We went to mass at the Basilica the next morning and it was quite a traditional experience. It was absolutely beautiful and was nice to experience a different kind of reverence towards God.

Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Nizinski! :) 

Guess What is Coming?! AUTUMN!!!

Let me just start with this:

I. LOVE. FALL.

Insert an autumn-inspired sigh here. Ahh. :) Even though August just began, I am so very ready for all things autumn. I'm done with summer! I mean, I am perfectly content with summer vacation, but I could go for a season change! Last Monday's weather here in Michigan was a fall lover's dream: overcast, occasional rain shower, 64 degrees. Yes, yes, YES! I definitely did some blanket cuddling last Monday! But today, it's much too warm for my liking. The fan is blowing on me while I type, but it's still unbearable. And it doesn't help that our house has the complete opposite layout of an open floor plan. Can anyone say, "no air flow"? Why yes, yes I can. I'm mentally adding this to my list of things for the house we someday buy!

Anyways, back to the topic at hand... to make this even more perfect, Bath & Body Works is currently having a "1 Week Sneak Peek" for fall items!! Perfect timing. And they are even getting their website all ready for fall! I have already gone to the store and purchased an Apple Pumpkin 3-wick candle, this ADORABLE owl candle, some apple scented hand cream, and the new Honeycrisp Apple and Buttered Rum Orchard body care (mist and lotion). Love it. The staying power could be a little bit better, but the scent is ahhhmazing. I'm just SO pumped for the rest of the fall releases.

Tomorrow, their Artisan collection launches in stores. And apparently, also some more of the fall candles. So you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be in the store tomorrow! Unfortunately, we are a one car family, so I will be waiting until Dennis is home from work. But I have something to keep me occupied. I will update on that tomorrow!