I am very excited to be going here... ...for Christmas in Michigan!!


I am not as excited for this:

really? 20 degrees colder! really? I guess later in the weeks its about the same...

I am so very excited to spend 8 days with my wonderful family!!

MERRY CHIRSTMAS!!

Last week in class Timmy made Buche de Noel. Here are a couple of pictures of his creation!
It is a rolled sponge cake with white chocolate mousse filling, covered in white butter cream frosting and chocolate glaze to look like bark! The mushrooms are made of meringue and they garnished it with real tree branches!

Unfortunately, it was so popular that they sold out and he was not able to bring any home for me to try!

Last night was one of those nights that it clicked, and I know for a fact that at least ONE girl learned something. And that is the reason I do what I do. I got home from group and I got a text message from her that said "hey, group was awesome tonight, thanks". That's all I need to hear. It's especially amazing when it comes from the girl that has been struggling the most and the one that told me just two weeks ago that she wasn't going to come to group any more and that she really didn't care anymore, and wasn't interested in pursuing God. I gave her a little space, but knew she would come back... and she came back at the right time.

We are studying other religions, last night we looked at atheism. Throughout the conversation we mostly discussed the evidence we find in the world that proves the existence of God. The girls opened up a lot and shared stories of times they have experience God moments, times that they knew God had provided a miracle or times they have experienced God in nature. They also shared times when they doubted God existed and questioned whether Christianity is right or if we have it all wrong.

This is kind of a jumble of thoughts, but I guess all I really want to say is that I am SO thankful for an amazing God that works in such amazing ways.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

I wanted to share a couple of garments that I have made at school this semester. The last project I finished is currently being graded so I don' have any pictures of it yet.
Here are my first two projects:

Shirt - I used a silk type fabric, that was not the easiest to work with. It turned out pretty cute, but the fabric was not a very high quality and did not hold up during the construction as well as I would have hoped. It's also a little "maternity" so I think it will be cuter on when I'm pregnant! :)

Dress: This is probably my favorite piece I have ever made. I absolutely LOVE the fabric. It really turned out well, I was really happy with the construction. It looks better on, so I will have to get a picture of me in it when I wear it! I just need my husband to take me on a fancy date so I have some place to wear it!

Close ups of the ruffle.

I am currently working on a jacket, its coming along well. My first attempt at a jacket and its fully lined so we will see how it turns out! more pictures to come!

A couple more pictures from the wedding last weekend (taken by my friend Amy) Timmy and I being silly after walking down the asile

Dancing!

Arika, me, Amy

Timmy and I had a great weekend! Our friends Travis and Sarah got married on Friday night. Both Timmy and I were a part of the wedding party, we had so much fun. They are some of our closest friends and are such a wonderful couple. The wedding was beautiful and we all had so much fun dancing at the reception, and we got to meet some of their other friends, who were all wonderful and fun! I realized though, that I never had anyone take a picture of Timmy and I all dressed up! And we looked so good (if i do say so myself!) The photographer took one of us and I am pretty sure someone else did, I just didn't get one on my camera, so I will try to post one later! These pictures are a little out of order, but here are some of the festivities!

Amy, Arika and I

Travis and Sarah during their first dance!

Signature Sarah with her sunglasses on!

Sarah had a grooms cake made as a surprise for Travis, a miniature Wrigley Field (he's a huge Cubs fan!) They had it at the rehearsal dinner .

Sarah and I at the rehearsal dinner

Timmy and I at rehearsal dinner

Travis and Sarah and the cake!

This is Sarah and I out for her bachelorette party the weekend before!
I am not very good at taking a lot of pictures... and I realize I have none of Timmy from the actual wedding... oh well! On Saturday night Travis and Sarah got baptized at church, they had been wanting to get baptized for while but had never done it and they decided to tie it into their wedding weekend. It was really awesome, what an amazing way to start off a marriage! Plus both of their families got to be, which I know meant a lot to them.

Also this weekend my friends Seth and Erin from school were in Kansas City so we met them for coffee on Sunday afternoon. It was WONDERFUL to see them and catch up.
This week has been the usual busy week, work has been a little stressful, but classes are going well. Can't wait for this weekend when we will be in Michigan!

With football season starting, Amy and I have been able to fill our Sunday afternoon's with crafting while the boys get their "guy-time" in! We made these fun purses last week. I put a pocket on the front of mine (good place to keep the cell phone) and also a small pocket on the inside.

Goofy picture of Amy and I with our bags!