Waiting For Our Promise...

Have you ever stood in a place of worship, with your eyes closed, listening to the soundtrack of heartfelt praise?  It is in moments like these that I am reminded of Our Promise.

Waiting is crucially painful.  My heart desperately wants to know why so much time has passed, and yet I know the Father sees far beyond my concept of time.

Friends come and go, never knowing how to handle such fragility while "doing life" with us.  Only the strongest stay and bless us with encouragement.

Prayers seem never ending. Knees imprint's the floor. Tears seep into the alter as our heads are bent. Still Praying.

Strangers with dreams interpreting our future. Unsettling at times and yet fortunate enough to know we believe in a Heavenly Father who still whispers to us.

Anger and hurt is suppressed at the oddest times.  Only those who know of the pain we feel, are able to look into the depths of our soul and know, with just one look.

The odd comfort of a tattoo, symbolizing two individuals complete by marriage, but empty as they wait for their "little ones" to fill their lives.  Nine spaces of hope available to fulfill The Promise given to us....

Saying Goodbye to Georgia

As we tried our best to prolong the sad goodbyes coming our way, we decided to head off on one more excursion.  Packed into the "party van," we made a stop at Dunkin Doughnuts AND Chick-fil-A, and ended up at a wonderful little dam site whose name has slipped our minds. A walk with loved ones in nature is something to never take for granted.  Cool waters reflecting the sun, jagged rocks poking through the surface, willowy trees spotting the shore, and birds songs mixed with laughter, creates a once-in-a-lifetime symphony you will never experience again.

As the sun's rays began to heat the day, we knew it was time that we should be on our way.  Luggage packed and plans made, one last look and gratitude relayed. We bowed our heads in prayer to let Georgia know how much we cared.  Though our friends may be miles away, this was a friendship created to last until the end of days. 

Stone Mountain

It's always interesting when individuals find themselves befriending others completely different then themselves with different taste, style, and fitness levels. Yet, we seem to have some common thread amongst us to think we could tackle Stone Mountain.  

Bjorn, Eric, Renee, Matt, Ashley, Nick, and Kassie

Stone Mountain is 825 feet tall and covers 583 acres. The top of the mountain is 1,683 feet above sea level. The entire carved surface of the Memorial Carving measures three acres, larger than a football field. The carving of the three men towers 400 feet above the ground, measures 90 by 190 feet, and is recessed 42 feet into the mountain.  The Memorial Carving depicts three Confederate heroes of the Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and Lt. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.

The view of Atlanta, Georgia from Stone mountain is absolutely stunning.  The vastness of the world right before your very eyes is breathtaking-or it may be the altitude.  Whatever the reason, it reminds us once again at our Abba's creativity and joy He must feel when we take time to appreciate His handy work-even those who walk beside us.

A Southern Easter

Easter is that time of year when church choirs shout hallelujah, white lilies grace the presence of every table, chocolate eggs become "candy crack," and everyone decorates themselves in new spring gear for the day-long festivities.  Well this year, our Easter consisted of a family band, a wooded area out back, chocolate bunnies in cages, and photo sessions with friends-in our Easter get-ups.

This year, we were especially blessed as two amazing families opened their home to us and created an Easter we would never forget. We were totally blown away by their hospitality, genuine interest in our lives, and the "Pintrest Easter" spread that will forever be burned into our memories.

Our Fruity Bunny

Deviled Chicks

Tulips, Eggs, Jelly beans, and Marshmallow Bunnies

Shrimp and Grits~AMAZING!!!!

Bonaventure Cemetery and Tybee Island

Bonaventure Cemetery was quite the experience.  With a hushed reverence for the the dead and their living offspring, we toured the cemetery that was called "incomparable" by Oscar Wilde and shown to the world through the pages of "Midnight of Good and Evil."  Each taking off to observe what they found most interesting about visiting a cemetery,  I was fascinated by the Jewish plots with their sparkling tribute rocks as well as the mass grave marking the ashes of 344 souls who were victims of a holocaust camp in Alem Hanover, Germany.

We soon left Bonaventure Cemetery to tour Tybee Island.  A festive little town with a stellar view of the Atlantic.  Though the water was a tad chilly, our shoes were off and our toes were in the sand.  I'm always stunned whenever I see the vastness of the ocean.  To think our Creator knew that one day man kind would find such respite and peace when looking at His handy work. I'm always blown away.

Though on a tight schedule, I was "graciously" given a short 15 minutes to explore some art work off the side of the road.  Our first stop brought a smile to my face as a giant metal mermaid loomed over the "art garden."  I also scored a fabulous watercolor painting of a pirate with a mermaid slung over his shoulder. From what I read, Tybee Island is know for it's tales of mythical mermaids....

Savannah Soul

We spent our first morning in Georgia touring the Ruins of Old Sheldon~Prince William's Parish Church. The ruins were built from 1745-55, burned by the British in 1779, rebuilt in 1826, burned again by the Federal Army in 1865.  What stands now is an empty shell of a church, with the ringing of past preaching haunting the air while you walk by scattered gravestones of young parishioners of another time.

After touring the ruins, we headed off to Savannah-a town built on graves of those no longer remembered.  Warm home-made pralines, touristy shoppes, streets lined with Spanish moss, squares complete with statues and fountains every ten blocks, shrimp and grits at the oldest building in Savannah, and "haunted pubs" where we ate creme brulee and eclairs "the size of brains," greeted us with all the charm a southern host could ever have.

Nick chill'n in a Savannah square.

A favorite establishment of George Washington's where we ate shrimp and grits for the very first time. They were absolutely to die for!

We blame the "ghost" for the blurriness.

Our "haunted pub" of sweet delicacies

A Savannah square at night.

Georgia Randomness

We actually did it! After dreaming about it, throwing ideas around, and pretending this could happen, we really made our wishes a reality!  We planned a trip to Georgia with some dear friends to visit some other dear friends down south. While pictures of the trip are posted elsewhere, we've decided to use the blog to describe the essence of beauty and craziness that we experienced during our daily excursions. This may be a five part series so, hold on to your hats folks and get ready to hear about the Mayo-Olson-Johnson-Hartsock festivities in the dirty south!

We'll start off with a few random pictures that don't quite fit in anywhere else, but made this trip complete.

Our lovely traveling companions in the "party van."

Chick Fill-A was a staple

 Our Lovely Host's and Georgia Tour Guides 

We totally busted out laughing every time we saw these signs and someone may have tried to take them at 40 mph...

Mellow Mushroom~Grooviest Pizza Place With Psychedelic Decor

Endless warnings were given about not "touching the Spanish moss, because it's full of chiggers." Beautiful to look at though.

Soul-food from a roadside shack-a Southern must!

Mozart Cafe~A beautiful coffee shop with Asian flare! Their Honey Citron Tea was fabulous!

Stay tuned for some more lovely photos and description of our time in Georgia.