Congrats to Michael and Ashley Posey

Last night I was blessed to be able to be apart of a beautiful event, the marriage one of my roomies and friend Michael Posey to his now wife, the lovely Ashley(formerly) Hitchcock, now Posey! It was so lovely! The venue was beautiful, the flowers were gorgeous and Ashley was radiant! I got the pleasure to assist Morgan and Ashley's mom in coordinating the event. One of the most special moments for me was right before Ashley walked down the aisle, she was standing looking just as beautiful as she was nervous. It was so awesome to be able to see the bride right before she takes her last steps as a single lady, and walks towards her new husband with her daddy about to give her away. What a great moment!! I was filled with so much joy for her! I Hope they have so much fun in Hawaii on their honeymoon, because I mean how do you NOT have fun on your honeymoon? Food was great and the dancing was super fun! I love going to weddings with dancing! I think it is just one of the most fun things to do with a group because usually more than half the people around you you don't know, yet all are able to bond and be friends whilst getting one's grove on. Had a blast and my feet hurt, which is only a sign of a succesful night!

Here's to the Posey's!

Honesty Part 1

I love the conversations I find myself in with the people of Doxa. And more often the ones with my rommies. Every now and again a few, or all of us will get into some really amazing honest conversations and I often leave thinking all day about them. God is continuing to grow me to new depths as to what honesty really means. You know what I mean, it's those thoughts in your head, what you really think, but would never say out loud for fear of judgement, criticism or rejection? Well, those kind of words are the goal to get to in conversation. They are mostly phrased in loving, caring ways, but we are human, and I especially, happen to know how to word things in the worst way possible, then have to re-track what I mean to say so it doesn't come across as harsh, rude or completely insulting. With these conversation one learns that there is a huge difference between using words to hurt just to hurt and saying hard words to wound in a way that allows the Holy Spirit to grow us nearer to our Heavenly Father. It is painful. Being honest, it hurts sometimes. But it is in that pain that we grow. Whether its the revelation the Holy Spirit gives us about ourselves and our own wickedness and sin or the times we see friends and have to lovingly come alongside them and bring certain sins to light. Its an incredible comfort to have a community of people around who love each one another through struggles and sin. Who can come together and support and lift one another up when we feel most ugly and disgusted. I am in continued awe that God would lead me to such a wonderful place like Doxa.

Finally learning to be honest. I used to think I knew the meaning of the word honest, God has made lovingly it clear that I didn't have a clue =) I have no doubts that I will want to blog about this topic, honesty more and more as Christ continues to reveal more to me about what that means. It has been one of the many things that stands out in what Christ is doing in me for my sanctification. So for now, this can just be Part 1.

Here's to the beauty of honesty

Hiking Towards Fog

What a busy weekend! Saturday was so lovely. I went with one of my besties and hiker extraordinaire Haley Durrett for my first hike ever up Rattlesnake Ridge. I was very much loking forward to this day for a few reasons. One, I had never hiked before and I have known so many people over the years who have enjoyed being one with nature and among God's creation in that way and found it a great way to excersize and socialize at the same time. Two, I want a new hobby of sorts. Many people have told me the this particular trail is "easy" and "a great first hike." I wouldn't call it "easy." Granted it was no 20 mile hike in Leavenworth(where Haley's dad, Mike was that same day as he is a very experienced mountain man and has all the tools and gear necessary for those expert hikes) but for me it was a great challenge. When Haley came to pick me up she had a coffee for each of us(the great glass frapps you can get at grocery stores, which I love!) gatorade, water and power bars for when we got to the top. I was elated with her thought out planning and kindness in wanting to make it a great experience for me. What an incredible friend I've been blessed with! It took us an hour and a half to get up with one 5 minute break. I must say, I was so proud of myself for doing it. I haven't been to the gym in at least 2 months so I am definitely not in peak mountain climbing condition, so I was a bit worried I would be huffing and puffing and needing to take breaks the whole time. Granted I was huffing anf puffing at times but I kept telling myself, "just get to the top and the hard part will be over." I keeping thinking of the hilarious pun of "its all downhill from there" and for whatever reason thought that I was hilarious because I had never gotten to use said pun.
Our hike was rainy and grey as we looked beyond the trees but the whole time we were hoping that it would clear up by the time we got to the top. I was drenched in a mixture of sweat and rain and my sweatshirt was completely soaked from the mystery combination, which liquid element was more I couldn't say. Hiked all that way for a thick curatin of fog. Couldn't even see 10 ft off of the ledge of the top. For whatever reason, my only thought was, "oh well, now I get to hike it again." This didn't stop us from taking a few pictures to commemorate the success and my first hike. I feel like normally I might be discouraged by such a feat but I ended up having an incredible experience and look forward to it again soon. And I think I'll stick with Rattlesnake Ridge because I don't think I am ready to hike anything with the word "mountain" in it.

Here's to the mountains we all climb

Church Is No Longer In The Living Room

Yesterday was the first sunday in Doxa's new church building. What an incredible and surreal day that God made happen. It is so crazy to me to think that in the beginning of July we were still in the house throwing around several ideas as to how to get more into the community to connect with those that live in Renton. Now a month later we have our own building that Doxa can call home! God is so good! I can't even believe how quickly He wove all the details together to get us moved in so fast. And I have hopes that we will soon be filling up the place(with just our regular attenders we had the place comfortably filled) like for next week with our Grand Opening. I can't imagine how many people we will have to come and celebrate how God has used Doxa so far and how He will continue to use our church to share truth with the community of Renton. I can't wait to find out though!
Not only that we were given a building, but a church in Seattle donated much needed chairs What an incredible blessing.
Its going to be such a new routine for me to not just simply walk out of my room for worship practice on Sunday mornings, but I don't mind it in the least. The excitement of getting to go into the city and have church brings me so much joy that I can't be anything but grateful to God. I have been so blessed by God leading me to Doxa. I can't imagine what my life would be like without His guidance and provision in allowing me to be apart of a church with so much heart--for Christ and for people. I continue to pray that people would come through our doors and be wooed by Christ. That our affections for Him would be contagious and that we would continue to pursue his glory through this new chapter and growth of our sweet little church. http://www.doxacc.org/

Here's to new chapters.