Where you go, I will go... Lord send me...

With the end of the year drawing closer and closer, I'd like to ask my fellow friends to keep us in your prayers as we pray and seek God's direction for our lives in the coming year. Some of you know that we have been asked to consider moving to Kansas by W.D's pastor, Pastor Chalfant at the beginning of the year. This isn't set in stone yet... but we are preparing to do so if it truly is God's will. As of right now, we have been training other couples in our church to take over the youth in case we do move. Some days we feel like God wants us to stay here in Memphis and continue the work that W.D and then the two of us have been working on for the past year and a half. But other days we feel as if God wants us to dig up our roots, fill in the hole and move our lives somewhere where God may need us more. Please keep us in your prayers as the year comes to an end. Pray that God directs us in the path He wants us to go, and that He comforts us and our familes in whichever path He chooses. Also, we will be going to Kansas this weekend to sit down with Pastor Chalfant and talk things over about what we will be doing if we move... please keep us in your prayers!!

Thanks dearly my friends!! <3

First Christmas Decorations ;)

So I did it. I went out and bought my first Christmas decorations. And guess what? It worked! I am now in the Christmas spirit! =) I couldn't buy much but its a start!!

So I'm planning on doing my home in red and like lime/sage green for Christmas. I've always loved it and wanted to decorate with it! =) I didn't have much to spend so I had to limit myself big time. A few things at a time Amber... you have plenty of time, its only October! ;)

I walked over the whole store before I ever put anything in my basket. Not because I couldn't find anything.. but because my basket wasn't big enough for the whole store! ;) Sooo after I walked over the whole store I decided I wanted these deer. They kinda remind me of home... but then again they are totally different cause these are lime green deer!!! ;)) And I also bought us matching stockings. The tops of the stockings are actually the same color as the deer but you can't really tell in this pic.

I thought it was a rather good start to my Christmas decor. =)

Now I can't wait to go to Gatlinburg in November so I can buy us our first ornament!!!!

What did I tell ya?

I'm now in the Christmas spirit. ;)

I.heart.goodies!!! =))

So I know I JUST posted yesterday... but I couldn't help but post a few pics of some goodies we have received and some good news!!!!!!

My aunt and uncle went to Disney World and brought me home this super cute pot-holder!!! =)

Theeen... my parents went to Disney World as well and brought me home this cute cute t-shirt. =))

And a Disney journal and Disney pen for W.D. =)

And a verrrry sweet lady bought these fabulous tea towels for me "just because"... I LOVE them!!!!!! <3

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Annnd I'm superr duperrr excited about some future vacation plans for May!! Disney World and a Disney Cruise is in the planning stages thanks to my wonderful mom!!! Woohoo!!! We are extremely excited about this, since we've NEVER been to Disney World!!! =D

3night Disney cruise aboard "Disney Dream"

And a couple days in Disney!!!

HURRYYY MAYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)))

<3- The Princess in Me

October: The beginning of our Love Story

October is a very special month of memories for my love and I. A year ago this month, was the beginning of our Love Story. It really started in June when he moved to Memphis to be our youth leader... but the love-dove/ mushy-gushy/ sweethearts part didn't come till October. ;)

So in case you dont know our story, here is a brief summary;) :

New Youth Pastor

W.D came to Memphis in June and preached a Youth Sunday for us.. my pastor was impressed and asked him to consider moving to Memphis for a year to be our youth pastor. W.D accepted. During this time, I was tormented and teased about the new single youth pastor. But I was determined I was not going to let anyone hinder my "friendship" with my youth pastor.

New Friend

As the months went on, we became really close friends and though I knew he liked me, I just wasn't interested in anything more than a friendship. But even through my rejection, he kept on being my friend, my constant friend. It aggravated me that someone I "didn't like" could care for me so much.

Cupid flys in September too.

Around September of 2010, I began to really question my feelings for him. We were constantly texting, constantly talking, and I really felt like he would do almost anything for me... my heart began to fall... not because I wanted it to... I felt like I had no control.

Falling.

And then it all flopped on me. October 1st, he told me he was going out of town to meet a "friend' and do a double-date with her and another couple. I pretended like I could care less. The young people would ask how I felt and I would just say, "Im happy for him!" But inside my heart was breaking... along with my will. That day before he left, he came and told me good bye and then honked at me as he pulled out of the parking lot. It was at that moment that I knew... I just lost my chance. I talked to him the whole way (hours) to the restaurant where he was meeting her. That night I went out to eat with my pastor and the young people and the subject came up about 'Bro. Hilton and his date'... W.D had sent me a pic (at my request) of him and his "friend" that night.. I showed everyone at the table and tried to make out like I was happy for them. But my pastor saw right through me. Gotta love pastors. I know I do. He looked at me and said, "Sis Amber, if you would have been nicer to him, you would have had a chance."

Broken.

Something clicked in my heart at that moment. It was like God was telling me, "If you don't let go of your will, you're gonna miss mine." I cried all the way home. I couldn't bear the thought of being in a relationship with someone else... and not being able to talk to him. Two very long days passed... and on Mon. October 4th he returned, but to my dismay, he wouldn't have anything to do with me. He later told me that he was so frustrated cause he left that weekend to try to "get over" me... and all he could think of was me the whole weekend. So when he came home, he determined to avoid me.

Superman

Then it all broke on Thursday of that week, I somehow let him know through a text message that I had missed him... and without telling him, I somehow let him know I kinda did care for him. Thursday night my family was going to eat Mexican at a restaurant by our house.. Mexican food was the last thing I wanted and I told W.D this. I also told him that I needed a superman to come rescue me. He then asked if it would be ohk if he came... I was happy that he was giving me another chance and agreed he could come.

New Chapter

When he walked in that night, it was like I was seeing him for the first time.. black dress shirt, blue jeans and black suede shoes... he literally made my heart melt. ;)

Hilton Headquarters

On Saturday, he asked me and a few girls to go help him buy a few things to decorate his bachelor pad. It proved to be a frustrating night for us girls... for them because half way thru the night they realized, the only opinion he really cared about was mine. ;) And frustrating for me, cause even though we were "talking", I wasn't sure whether to let him buy the things I liked and I would want in a home (which was his motives) if it ended up not being God's will... but then again I didn't want to have him buy things I didn't really like, just in case it was God's will!! ;) And I'm so glad I decided on that one. ;))

At Bahama Breeze the night we decorated the Hilton headquarters ;)

Its a Love story

As the days, weeks went by we began to fall sweetly into the will of the Lord... many happy tears were shed as we finally realized the miracle that had happened in our lives. As I realized I had finally found my better half, the one who could make me smile, the one I was completely comfortable with, the one who loved me for who I was... my bestfriend. <3

Nothing could wipe the smiles off our faces... Truly happy people;)

October 20th. Went to see "WICKED" at the Orpheum for our first date... It was amazing.

Love

October 26th we became an official dating couple with the blessing of our pastors and our parents.... =)

We were in this thing called LOVE. (thanks Kara for writing on our steps to help us remember;))

~Amber <3

Deee-licious Pasta Salad!!! *mouth waters*

I made this delicious pasta salad last night... and I have literally eaten 2 more helpings out of it since then!!! I LOVE it!!! I got the recipe from the "Simple & Delicious" magazine... and I altered it for mine and my husbands taste buds... Its called Caesar Tortellini Salad. =)

This is a closer picture.... pure heavenly pasta bliss. =)

And its soooo EASY to make!!! Here is the recipe (and my alterations):

Caesar Tortellini Salad

3 1/2 cups frozen cheese tortellini

3 plum tomatoes, chopped (I used 1 can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes instead)

1 can (3.8oz) sliced ripe olives, drained

1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and chopped (I used 1 small cucumber, chopped)

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I recommend only putting cheese on top of individual servings so your cheese doesn't get slimy in the refrigerator!)

1/2 cup Caesar salad dressing

8 thinly sliced hard salami, cut into 2in. strips (I used a 1in. thick slice of ham that I cooked and then chopped into 2in. strips)

Cook Tortellini according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine tortellini and remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until serving. (its so much better when its completely cold =))

Enjoy!!! Please let me know if you try this recipe!! =)

What a Weekend!

Wedding cake made and delivered= Now I can breathe easy!! =)

My weekend started on Thursday.. I met with the bride to get a deposit, went to the store to buy my cake ingredients... then went to my local cake/baking supply store to buy my cake boxes, boards and a few other things needed for my wedding cake on Saturday. All was going well until I pulled into the parking lot of The Baking Boutique to see no cars, window blinds closed, open sign... gone. I looked at the clock... 1:15pm. I thought, "Hmm.. maybe she's on lunch..." So I got out, walked up to the door and to my dismay, found this sign on the door.

I got in my car and just stared at my beloved cake store. It felt like the end of the world. lol Ohk maybe not that bad but I was almost in tears.

Sooo.. I went home, unloaded my groceries and went and searched for another cake supply store in Memphis. Thankfully there was one! So I jotted down the info and took off.. It wasn't in a great area of town, and when I pulled up, I had lots of doubts.

Buuuut... when I walked in... I was utterly delighted!! Wall to Wall, Ceiling to Ceiling of cake supply goodness. It looked like heaven's storehouse to me at the moment. I walked the crowded aisles in amazement. It looked like Wilton Magazine had exploded in there. Whatever you needed, whatever color, whatever flavor, shape, size, character.... they have it. Truly a cake decorator's dream store. =)

And what lesson did I learn?

Never judge a store by its cover.

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Also, I decided to check out the "famous" pinterest.com... a little while later ;), I left our computer with two new projects on my "to do" list... I absolutely LOVE these!!!!

Wedding song Tiles... Ours would either have, "I wanna spend my tomorrows here with you", or "For Once in My Life", or "Beautiful"... Haven't quite decided which one yet but I looove this.

And this sign stole my heart... it's like top on my list. So simple. But I LOVE it! <3

Anyways, just thought I'd stop by my blog and give my 2 very special followers an update.. ;o)

Amber <3