And Suddenly We're All Grown Up

  As children, Hannah, April, and I were practically inseparable.  We spent many weekends together playing Little House on the Prairie, School, and having Tea Parties.  We watched movies and sang songs.  We stayed up to the wee hours of the morning and slept late.  Life was good!

This weekend, April and I (along with the rest of my fam) headed out to Nebraska to see Hannah get married.  I hadn't seen Hannah since graduation from College- two and a half years ago!  I can't believe how fast time has passed us by!

The wedding was beautiful!  As soon as Hannah appeared at  the back of the sanctuary, I started crying.  She was SO BEAUTIFUL!  And in that moment, it hit me: we're all grown up.  Somewhere along the way we left behind the childhood joys of "Wedding Day," and we're now grown women attending the real-life "Wedding Day" of one of our own!

Hannah was so happy to see us there, and it was such a special day for all of us.  April and I went with my parents and two younger sisters, and of course, we crammed ourselves into one pew at the wedding, even though we didn't exactly fit.  What a fantastic day!

I'm not sure when exactly it happened, but here we are... all grown up!  I LOVE you girls and will forever cherish the memories we made together as children and the memories we have yet to make as adults!

Reflection

Lately, with all the changes goin on around me, I've been very reflective.  For the most part, I've been reliving my summer memories over and over again in my head.  I've gone through the hundreds of pictures I took this summer dozens of times in the last few weeks... just remembering.

But then it hit me.

I shouldn't be here.  If life had gone according to MY plan, I would probably still be living at home, working for the church, and enjoying life in a very different way.

Where was I a year ago?

Well, one year ago today, I was sitting in class at Iowa Wesleyan College, convincing myself that I belonged there... that I COULD learn to speak Spanish... that I WOULD graduate in two and a half years with a teaching degree.

I was praying desperately for my sister Helen and I to find jobs in our local areas.  I was missing her beyond belief as she began school at Faith, and I started at IWC without her.

I was enjoying having my big sister, her first grader, and her new baby living with us.  I was caught up in several new TV shows, including Pan Am and Once Upon a Time.

I was helping with AWANA at church, as well as playing the piano regularly, and teaching Sunday School.

I was working hard at making my mom my new best friend.  I was working hard at being friends with my littlest sister Leah.  I was working hard at being a good friend to my cousin April and my neighbor Sarah. I was looking to former teachers-turned-mentors for advice in my schooling.

I was pouring time and energy (both well spent) into growing in my walk with God.   I was praying for guidance and strength in my new endeavour with school.  I was seeking wisdom and assurance that I was doing what He wanted me to do.

REALLY?!  All of that was only a year ago?  It feels like forever.  Looking back now, I can see how insanely much I've grown this year. Now, I can say with confidence that:

1. I'm exactly where God wants me to be.
2. I'm a stronger person because of the past year.
3. I'm closer to all three of my sisters now than I was then.
4. My mom is one of my best friends in the whole entire world.
5. Several of the key people in my life... I didn't even KNOW them a year ago. Now I can't imagine life without them.
6. I have no doubt whatsoever that I did the right thing by walking away from teaching.
7. Somehow, I've lost weight. Random, but true!
8. God brings things in to our lives to grow us, stretch us, and make us into the people He wants us to be... even if it "hurts."
9. God will use whomever He chooses, even unexpected people, to bless our lives.
10. God has a plan for this next year of my life.  I can trust Him COMPLETELY, without worry, to do His will in His time.

If I hadn't paused to reflect on where I was a year ago, it would be easy for me to panic and fear the unknowns of this coming year.  There are so many potential life changes coming my way (most of which I embrace whole heartedly!), and it would be so easy to worry and fret!  BUT... looking at the way God led me from where I was a year ago to where I am now?  That's what gives me the confidence to embrace life.  To live without fear.

As my Yellow House brother recently reminded me:  You don't have to fear the unknown because you know the God who knows the unknown.

I'm excited to see whereGod takes me, and where I'll writing from NEXT September!

Patiently Waiting

I Corinthians 13:4a & 7 have become kind of like a life anthem for me lately.  The words of these very special verses are on constant replay in my head.

"Love is patient.... Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things."

Patience is not something that comes easily to me.  I'm not known for being a patient person, although I'm learning and growing every day.

There are so many things I want to know RIGHT NOW, but I know I'll have to be patient and wait for God to reveal His plan.  I have to be patient as time passes and life changes.  I have to be patient and wait.

But this waiting is a good thing.  It will give me the opportunity to learn what it looks like when love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. The next few months aren't going to be easy. It feels like there is a gaping hole in my chest, and while I don't see this changing, I hope and pray that this time of waiting will also be a time of great learning.

And So It Begins

For anyone that knows me, this may come as a shock.  Amidst all the changes going on in my life right now, I haven't really had a huge meltdown yet.  Sure, I've cried, but it's mostly been silent tears slipping down my cheeks a few at a time and [for the most part] short lived.

That's about to change.

I can feel it.

Other Caleb leaves for basic in a week, and I'm not ready.  I'm just not.  His departure is the "big finale" end to the best summer of my life. Soon, all I'll have is the precious memories I made this summer and my best friend/little sister Helen.

It keeps me awake at night, lying there thinking about how much I miss Little Brother and how much I already miss Other Caleb.  It feels like there's a gaping hole in my chest, which I suppose makes sense considering that a tiny part of my heart is in Ohio, and another tiny part of my heart will soon be in Texas. It hurts.

So, since I haven't really had one of my famous [at least in our family] meltdowns yet, I've been just waiting for it to happen. I know it's coming. I know it will happen when I least expect it. And I know I'll wake up the morning after with the worst headache in the world [we call it a crying hangover in our familiy... worst EVER!].

For instance, on my way to work this morning, "Stayin' Alive" came on the radio, and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, there I was with more tears streaming down my face.  I don't know why, but memories of a summer road trip to Mason City were suddenly so vivid and clear in my mind, it overwhelmed me.

And so begins the emotional journey that is sure to cover the next few months.  Missing people, re-living memories in my mind (and out loud with my best friend), and patiently waiting for what's next.

*Be Advised- hugs will be much needed AND much appreciated over the next few months.  They may even be solicited. Just FYI.

Excuses

Where on earth has Lacy been?  I know it's been a few weeks since my last post, but I promise you, I have a good excuse.  Several of them, actually.

Excuse #1: Family Vacation!

On August 4, we piled into the family van and headed west to see my mom's side of the family in Nebraska and Colorado.  We spent Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and most of Tuesday in Po-Dunk, Nebraska, with my grandparents and cousin. Tuesday night, we headed to my favorite place in the world: Aunt Lisa & Uncle Dave's in Denver.  We spent Wednesday in Colorado Springs visiting Garden of the Gods and Focus on the Family.  Thursday morning we headed back to Po-Dunk, and spent the evening with my mom's little brother and his family and our grandparents.  Friday, Great Uncle Wally & Great Aunt Marlene (the BEST great uncle and aunt EVER) came down for the day.  Saturday, we piled back into the family van, and headed back to Des Moines. Whirlwind trip? YES!  Totally worth it?  YES!  Too much time with the family? NEVER!


Excuse #2:  Caleb is Gone! :(

On Tuesday, I spent the evening with my Yellow House family.  Why?  Well... Because on Wednesday, they took off on an adventure to deliver my best little brother to Cedarville.  So Tuesday night was filled with "family" time.  And then... the goodbye. The tearful, sad, painful goodbye.  Three months ago, I had NO IDEA that this young man would become such a huge part of my life, but the fact is that he did.  I can't imagine life without my favorite little brother, and while I know that time will go fast, and he's where he needs to be, and that he's gonna grow tremendously over the next few months... well.... I already miss him more than I can say.  And Thanksgiving can't come fast enough. Thankfully, there's skype, texting, phone calls, and facebook! I love you, Buddy!  :)


Excuse #3:  Other Caleb is Leaving, too!

In two very short weeks, Other Caleb, AKA Fogell, is leaving for basic training.  Yeah... another HUGE part of my life is being ripped away from me.  Only THIS part of my life won't have access to texting, or skype, or even phone calls.  Nope, this girl will soon be doing one of the things she does best: writing letters. Letter after letter.  Day after day.  This is where actions speak louder than words. It's easy to say now, while he's still here, that I'll write faithfully with encouraging words and hope, but once he's gone... that's when my words will mean the most because my "words" WILL be actions.

So there you have it.  The latest with Lacy.  Excuses and all.

Here are a few pictures from vacation.... Enjoy!

 At the Park

 At the Lake

 Mud!!

 Garden of the Gods 

 The Girls

 One of Odyssey's Finest: WOOTEN!!!

Whit's End :)