A Walk in the Snow

The week before last we got our first heavy snow. (Well, heavy in my mind! It was the first time they actually had to plow it.) It was Sunday afternoon, so while David was at work I decided to go for a walk. It snowed the whole time. I put on layer after layer after layer and headed out for my usual loop. It took about three times as long, but was ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. Sure, the cold is wearing on me, but this snow was nothing short of magical. I got some funny looks from people shoveling their driveway. I wanted to say "Hey, I'm from Alabama, don't judge me. I've never gotten to do this!" I didn't get as many or as quality pictures as I would've liked. I would pull my camera out from under my rain jacket for a few minutes but my fingers were frozen or too chunky because of gloves. But, here's what I did get so that y'all can appreciate the beauty and the crazy newness of my life here!

Our First Christmas Tree: Part 2

In which we wish we were in Auburn

A few weeks ago I wrote about the adventure of getting our first Christmas tree here. It finally came time to put up the tree. I started wishing that we had bought a real tree and snuck it into the apartment in the middle of the night under a sheet. But, we are abiding by the rules, and decided to unbox this thing. 

It looked really rough at first. Yikes. 

 Then this happened. We went crazy, obviously. It was one of the most exciting things I've ever seen and it made me miss being in Auburn very much. 

So since we couldn't be there to roll Toomer's, we decided we'd have our own post game celebration. If you are an Iowan and have no clue what I'm talking about, you can read a tiny explanation and see what is happening there right now at this site. Creepy? A little. Don't run that traffic light. 

War Eagle from the midwest! And Merry Christmas!

A Year to Be Thankful For

I was going to post this on my birthday, but other events that day caused me to leave it in the drafts. So, as I feel like enough time has passed that I'll get back to regular old blogging, here it is. Just for fun, a look at my last year in pictures! I always think of my life in seasons, and enjoy mentally recapping what each one has brought. My birthday falling on Thanksgiving was perfect, because I really have so much to praise the Lord for this year. It has been one of huge changes, and many challenges. But it has been rich and full! Here are a few high points.

I turned 21 and celebrated at the Castle House with some wonderful friends who I miss terribly right about now. 

Then in December somebody asked me to marry him! I love these pictures of my mom and I because there is so much joy. 

During spring semester, I did some pretty stereotypically Auburn things, like going up in Samford Clock Tower! I got someone to cover my shift at work so I could go and it was totally worth it. Thanks Cec and Joe for working this out!

RUF Winter Conference is always a good weekend! (Especially with these two!) 

Spring also brought showers and parties, which were a blast. This picture is from an Around the House dinner party that the Presley's and Smith T's threw us in Opelika. 

With (just a little) sentimentality, I finished classes and moved out of Auburn. 

The first week of summer was spent at RUF Summer Conference with these crazies. It was a wonderful week of refreshing teaching, worship, conversation, and fun. I am so grateful for the people the Lord brought into my life through RUF, and the truth that he taught me.

I spent the summer working with Trinity PCA Montgomery's youth group. One highlight of the summer was climbing a mountain during RYM Colorado week! I LOVED getting to know these two cuties and so many other girls. 

After wrapping up my internship, and David finishing his senior Design/Build, we

graduated on August 3rd! It was such a fun day with family and I'm glad I decided to walk, even though it was a little overshadowed by the next weekend! 

On August 10, we ate far too few bites of this delicious cake. And I also officially became an Oliphant. I am so grateful for the covenant of marriage and that the Lord has given me such a wonderful husband who loves me so faithfully! 

We had a blast on our honeymoon to the Pacific coast of Oregon. Two days we hiked in the Redwood forests, which was absolutely stunning. 

As soon as we got home, we packed up and moved to Iowa. (I figured corn was an appropriate picture to illustrate this season.)

Which basically  means my life looked like this disaster for the first several weeks. But we finally got the mess under control, and have been working on making this place feel like home ever since!

And here we are. Getting used to a new season, plugging along at work, and proudly being the only apartment in all of West Des Moines to fly an Auburn flag. 

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

Psalm 16:6 

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Psalm 115:1