Weekend Recap: Easter 2016

Have you ever been glad that it's Monday? I hate to say it, but I really am. Not that Easter with my family wasn't wonderful, but let's just say the weekend didn't end on the highest note...

Friday was a great chill day for me. The office was closed, so I slept in, cleaned the house, had lunch with friends, and worked on thank you notes from last Saturday's shower. You can read about how to be an excellent thank you note writer on my friend Wendy's blog, here. I had hoped to get them out sooner, but got them in the mail within a week of the event. I try to do them as soon as possible, otherwise my to-do list just gets longer and longer!

On Saturday, Christopher and I went to one of our pre-marital counseling sessions {in Georgia you get a discount on your marriage license if you go!}, ran errands, then headed to South Carolina for Easter with my family.

We had a wonderful church service at First Baptist on Sunday morning. It was great to see our friends and those who won't be able to make it to our wedding next month one more time before we're a married couple! My mother had made lunch reservations at Victor's in the new Hotel Florence, which was fab! Brunch was delicious, and I love the aesthetic of the space--it should definitely be a stop on your list if you ever make it through Flo-town.

Lunch is unfortunately where my current stresses began: I got a call saying my bank account had been compromised for a couple hundred dollars. Of course this would happen on the week I have to pay for the wedding venue. Luckily, we caught it before a second attempt last night for another large sum. While I know this will be resolved with the bank, it is unfortunately one of those stresses that is just hanging out in the back of my mind constantly.

It was rainy all weekend, and we had to drive home in the rain and spring break traffic. Yuck. I almost had a very bad accident, too--when I was finally able to skid to a stop to avoid someone who had blatantly pulled out in front of me, Christopher couldn't even see the front of their car, it was that close to mine. I was extremely thankful when we finally made it home safe and sound.

Although silly, this morning's frustrations stem from social media. This is a huge part of my job, and my life. I love connecting with friends and family through pictures and stories online. The recent algorithm changes in both Facebook and now Instagram are driving me nuts. I now have to login to a separate website to fully access my blog and our business' Facebook page. Obnoxious! Now, Instagram, otherwise known in my book as the most perfect of all social media outlets, is changing their feed from chronological to show you pictures they "think" you will like. Well Insta, I only follow accounts that I "know" I will like, so I don't need you picking out things all willy-nilly!

Follow me on Instagram @piperellice and be
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I was glad to get to work this morning, finding comfort in my routine and a big cup of coffee. I've already been to the bank to begin the fraud resolution process, and I'm just hoping that it doesn't take the full 10 business days to get this squared away. In the midst of my stress, although minor in the grand scheme of things, I'm reminded of the love and sacrifice Jesus made for us every time I drive by the churches in town that have their Easter decorations standing strong. I'm claiming his peace to make it through the day, and the week.

Follow me on Snapchat @piperellice to see all of our
upcoming beach bash shenanigans! 

On another note, my bachelorette weekend is here! A few of us are leaving Thursday night after work to head to Amelia Island for a long weekend with the girls. I'm super excited, but fingers crossed that the weather forecast changes and the rain stays far away!

New Year's Resolutions

via Pinterest

Normally, I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions. I forget a lot, and have a major sweet tooth, so these things tend to not work out for me in a "Oops, I wasn't supposed to eat that cookie!" kind of way, which quickly leads to "Well, I've already had a cookie, so I'll have ice cream for dinner too." I also don't like to start things on the first {or a Monday, if I can avoid it. Wednesdays work better for me}, so hello Jan. 5! Anyways. 2015 will be my last year as a single woman {weird, I know}, so this is the prime time to really work on my self and prep for my time as Sadie, the married lady.

This year's resolutions are all about being a well-rounded individual. Luckily, I have some pretty pressing deadlines that will hopefully keep me on track.

1. Get healthy--I absolutely have got to start eating healthy and exercising. I know I, and everyone else, says this every year, but it's really true. Besides looking great in my wedding dress, I want to live like a really long time, and if/when I ever do birth a child, I'd like to be able to do so easily and also recover quickly. This isn't about getting skinny quick, but about longevity.
2. Read a book a month--I used to read all the time. In the car, in the shower, in bed late at night, in class, etc. All the time. Now, I never read. I'd like to thank college for that. Not that I really every read my textbooks {oops}, but it just is such a busy and exhausting time that all I wanted to do in my free time was watch TV and sleep. I want to get back to a place of enjoying reading for pleasure, and to further my knowledge and understanding of the world. I like all kinds of books, so please suggest some of your favorites in the comments section below!
3. Read my Bible regularly--Recently, I've really slacked in my Bible study and time with Jesus every day. This is something that is important to me, and also to my future marriage, and needs to be integrated into my daily life. 

What are some of your resolutions for 2015? 

Happy Reformation Day!

I don't do Halloween.

 Essentially, I am the Grinch version of Halloween. I want to go and steal all of the candy {on Nov. 1 from Walmart, when it's 75% off, and they put out the candy cane Hershey's kisses} and then crawl back to my cave {bed} and eat it all, alone.

Growing up in Christian schools, there were always debates about the appropriateness of Halloween, and costumes, etc. I hail from the land of "Harvest Festivals" on Halloween night, held in church parking lots with "family-friendly" costumes. Even Trunk or Treats were a little too progressive at the time.

Anyways, the school I attended through middle and high school was a non-denominational Christian school, but we learned a lot about all the different sects and how they came to be. Basically my whole 8th grade year was a study of Calvinism, which has ultimately developed some really weird beliefs for this Southern Baptist girl. We always had "Reformation Week"  leading up to October 31--the day in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the church door which argued against the pope and his teachings. Each day was spent reviewing all the "Solas":

1. Sola scriptura--by scripture alone
2. Sola fide--by faith alone
3. Sola gratia--by grace alone
4. Solo Christo--by Christ alone
5. Soli Deo Gloria--to God alone be the glory

This week was always one of my favorites. It seemed kind of silly at the time, but we all got really into it, and I appreciated the time to break apart my faith to the core structures of what I believe: salvation in Jesus Christ alone, by grace and through faith only. We learn how to live our lives, shape our beliefs, and be Christ-followers through Scripture {that's it.}, and our ultimate purpose in life is to bring glory to God. It's all there, in just a few simple Latin phrases.

I don't condemn Halloween. I am a great lover of tradition, and I think Halloween can be fun {I just really don't like to be scared}. But I do like to take the time each Halloween to reflect on the teachings of my childhood, and what this day actually means for me and those I love. Happy Reformation Day everyone! Now go out and eat some candy...

*all pictures via Google Images*

2018 update to include this gem:

Easter 2014

My sweet love 

"The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances." -- Robert Flatt

Ever since Christopher and I started dating, we've spent Easter with his family in South Georgia. This year, we had the opportunity to visit with my mom and brothers in South Carolina for the weekend. Christopher came into town on Saturday night, and we went to dinner with my brother and his new lady friend. After dinner, Christopher and I went to Redbone Alley, a Florence staple, and enjoyed after-dinner drinks before heading home to get in bed before the 'Eater Bunni' visited. 

Sunday morning, my mom and I got up to make macaroni and cheese before church. We all went to the Newspring Florence campus for church {watch the amazing service here}, and had lunch with some friends that afternoon. Pictures followed lunch, and then the sweet boys put my mom's birthday grill together before we all left to head back for Atlanta/Savannah. Too short of a weekend, but so much fun! Looking forward to another great weekend this week as well! 

My handsome, grown up brothers!

P.S. Update from Newspring Church---how amazing is this? If you don't have a church home, or are looking for a great community that encourages your faith daily, please check out Newspring Church. They have so many amazing resources online and on Facebook, and are starting an online Bible study today! I've never attend a church so real, encouraging, and practical as Newspring! 

Preparing My Heart

The past eight months have been a whirlwind of change in my life. Getting engaged, graduating college, and entering into the big girl world have been a little more than crazy! 2014 signals the start of the planning season for my 2015 wedding {18 months, eek!}. I'm more than thankful to not be rushed, and would definitely encourage others to take their time and enjoy their relationships--no matter what stage you're in! I've been able to enjoy all of these significant firsts, with my significant other, but without the additional stress of planning and executing a wedding at the same time. Hopefully, planning a wedding over a year away will also aid in lowering my stress level too!

     With my "fancee" in pharmacy school, and the personal stress and distractions of my own life throughout the past few months, we've not had a lot of time to focus on each other and our relationship. With Christmas approaching, the importance of relationships has been re-emphasized in my life. Throughout December, I am making it a point to reconnect with those most important to me. I realized that even if I talk with some one every day, I sometimes don't feel totally connected to them, and that is something that is so important to me. I want to take time to be a better friend, daughter, sister, and "fancee" and to fill those relationships with love, joy, and fun!

     All this being said, I want to be prepared for the new year, and a new position in life {Type A: Must have a Plan}. The fancee and I have decided to work through the book "The Five Love Languages" by Dr. Gary Chapman. We both have different love languages, and it's really helping us to read more about how each love language is different and to realize how it affects each other differently.

     I've also started reading "Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married" on my Kindle app on the iPad and it's a great piece to follow up and go alongside the love languages book. 

     The other night on Pinterest, I saw a Bible study from a blogger that she did the 12 days before she was married as a way to prepare her heart for marriage and to discover more about the Bible's truths about a couple's relationships. I decided to work through these passages from now until Christmas {a little more than 12 days, but still!} in hopes to prepare my heart to better love those around me. 

Thanks, Nicole at Bloom, for the inspiration! Picture found here.

      I'm definitely planning on doing this Bible study and reading these books over and over again until the wedding to help keep me focused away from the stress of detail and on the "heart" of the event at hand! 

How did {and do...as it's a never ending process!} you prepare your heart for marriage? Do you have any advice for "soon-to-be's" or newlyweds?

For Everything There is a Season

Stepping outside on my porch this morning into the brisk 50 degree morning breeze seemed appropriate. After a tumultuous two months full of stress, worry, and tears, I've finally decided to make a change. More or less lots of changes, so the cool winds seemed appropriate. I'm looking for clarity, cleanliness, and confidence in all areas of my life. That starts today, with waking up early to actually eat a {healthy} breakfast, and will end this evening with a major house cleaning session (which may last to tomorrow). I want to enjoy all parts of my life, large and small, and I feel like that can only start if I clean up my space and my habits. 

     So it's finally cold, which to me is encouraging. It's a significant change from the hot, heavy and stagnant things of the world that have been weighing so heavily. I hope it encourages others, like myself, to appreciate and embrace the new: day, season, spirit, attitude, energy, life. I hope to fall into happiness, leaves, fun, coziness, joy, and love.

Today's Jesus Calling devotion starts out saying, "No matter what your circumstances may be, you can find Joy in My Presence." I want to do that--I've gone through some of the most unimaginable pain in the last few months, yet have been strengthened and encouraged and been able to carry on through Christ and loving friends and family members, yet I have failed to find the joy. I pray that starting today I will find the joy in all things, and praise Him for it.

"For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence." 

Psalm 21:6