Ode to October

I have officially decided that October is one of my favorite months of the year. (disclaimer: June will of course always be my favorite month of the year since it’s my birthday month and the start of summer vacation.)

I love October. Fall was one of my favorite seasons as I grew up in the countryside of New York state. This year, I thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of a New England Fall. The trees were a spectacular display of brilliant orange, stunning yellow, and deep red leaves. I heard many people say that we enjoyed an amazing fall. I personally think this was God’s gift to me.  We had many days of warm, sunny weather. Even now, there are still some trees displaying the beauty of fall. On Sunday, my husband and I drive an hour to church. Our drive out of Boston to the countryside of Massachusetts was a stunning display of the beauty of Fall.

My favorite weekend of October was Columbus Day Weekend. It was the first time in my teaching career that I had Columbus Day off from school. The true highlight was my best friend Rebekah G. coming to visit us. Our second official house guest. We had the best weekend together.  We packed it full of our favorite fall activities.

On Saturday we drove to New Hampshire and hiked up Mt. Chocorua. The deep vibrant color of the leaves popped against the dampness of a wet day. Thankfully, the rain held off and we hiked to the summit. At the top of the mountain, we enjoyed stunning view of… FOG. Of course this only means we will have to hike this mountain again!

I loved ending our great day outdoors with our fall tradition of pumpkin pancakes. best fall tradition ever. After church on Sunday, we spent the afternoon apple picking at Shelburne Farm. More time outdoors on a perfect fall day. so very happy. We also had to fit in a quick trip to downtown Boston.

Thank you God for a beautiful fall. Thank you for the month of October. Thank you for an amazing friend to share the joy of fall activities.

What is one of your favorite Fall activities?

Happy Wedding Anniversary, my dear friend!

Happy Second Wedding Anniversary!
It is hard to believe it has only been two short years since your wedding. May your and Anthony’s love for one another continue to grow deeper and fuller over every passing year.

In honor of your second wedding anniversary, I decided to share my maid of honor speech and one of my favorite pictures of us together on your special day. I love you!

Maid of Honor Speech
I am so grateful for Jamee’s friendship. We became friends over five years ago after we met at a tea party Jamee hosted. Since then we have shared many cups of tea as we have talked, cried and prayed together. We have been in bible studies together, traveled on missions trips together and been roommates. We have seen each other through some difficult seasons and most importantly seen God at work in each other’s lives.

So over three years ago, I remember Jamee planning a worship night for her bible study. Well, this guy Anthony shows up at Jamee’s house so we can all carpool together. I had just met Anthony, yet during the car ride Anthony was in the backseat with his guitar practically serenading us in his goofy sort of way. I remember thinking “who is this guy?”

Yet, it quickly became very apparent as the evening went on that Jamee and Anthony were interested in each other. I vividly remember getting emotional at the end of that evening because the romantic in me knew that Jamee and Anthony would be getting married one day. Little did I know it would take over three years for this day to happen… but I was right!

Now Anthony seemed like a great guy but how did I feel about him dating my best friend? I think the time I really started to like him was the day Jamee and Anthony showed up to help me move. Not only did Anthony help me move heavy boxes and furniture, he also showed up with bananas and a present. Two things I love. Smart man.

It has been wonderful to watch Jamee and Anthony together and how much they just enjoy each other’s company. I love how relaxed Jamee is when she is with Anthony.
I cannot think of two people who love excel spreadsheets more than them. Most importantly, I have loved watching all that God has done in their relationship from bringing them together as friends and now as a married couple.

Anthony, some advice for you…
1. When Jamee is sick, don’t offer her saltines. She would much rather have meat. You have married a special girl. I don’t know any other woman who loves meat as much as Jamee.
2. Make sure you give Jamee at least half of the closet space. This is very important as I hear you have a lot of clothes.
3. If Jamee is watching Pride and Prejudice with a cup of tea and cookies, know that it was probably a very rough day.
4. Every now and then, invite me over for dinner.

My most important advice is to simply pursue God first and foremost. I know that if you are pursuing God above work, above Jamee, above everything else, you will be an amazing husband. I trust that as God leads you; you will take care of my dear friend.

Jamee, my advice for you….

1. Listen and get excited about all the details that matter to Anthony.
2. If you ever need someone to watch Pride and Prejudice with you, I am five minutes away.

My most important advice is to continue what you have done so faithfully within this dating relationship. You waited on God. You continued to put Him first. You fully surrendered Anthony to Him. You prayed faithfully for Anthony. Continue in this, my dear friend.

I am overwhelmed with God’ abundant goodness in bringing you both together. May His hand of blessing be upon your marriage. I love you both. Congratulations!

One Year Ago

One year ago today my life changed forever.

I was still single. I had not yet met my husband.

I had spent the day watching Downton Abbey with my best friend as I recovered from a sinus lift surgery. Before I went to bed that night, I noticed an email from e-harmony. I logged in, expecting it would take a brief minute to check out the guy’s profile and quickly dismissed him.

God surprised me. The first thing I thought was… “I have seen this picture before!” A couple weeks earlier, a random profile picture had caught my eye… the contrast of this guy’s bright blue shirt against his brown skin, his genuine white smile, and the confidence he portrayed made for a striking photo.

As I read through his profile, I was amazed by all that we had in common. We shared a passion for God, a love for people, and an enjoyment of being active. And then there were random details like a love of gospel music. I was touched with how his profile was infused with a love for God.

As I read, God stirred my heart and reminded me of desires He had placed there years earlier. While many girls may have been nervous seeing the job status of pastor, my heart responded with a desire to support and love a man in ministry. A man from Africa. My heart had been captured with a love of Africa when I traveled there years earlier on a missions trip.

Only God. Only God could have so designed my husband and I to be a perfect fit for one another. Only God could have brought us together through e-harmony. Only God could have spoken to my heart when I first read this guy’s profile. Only God could have given me insight that this may be the one He had for me.

One year ago, I was reading Stephen Nyakairu’s e-harmony profile. One year later, I am his wife. Happily married for over three months. Mrs. Nyakairu.

Only God in His perfect timing. Only God could have brought us together. A boy from Africa and a girl from New York. Only God could so dramatically change our lives in one short year. Only God.