Yard Work

Today I woke up early and went to Home Depot to get some pavers for the garden area out in the front of the house. It took me 2.5 hours to clear out all the weeds and to put down half the pavers. I was going strong and then I got stung by a hornet. It hurt like nothing I've experienced before. I'm surprised I didn't get stung a lot sooner. I was in and out of the bushes pulling weeds and it wasn't until I started pruning them that I got stung. Upon closer inspection there is a nest in that bush. So for the rest of the day I was apprehensive of anything flying. I hope Richie likes the pavers. It was his idea to do something like that and today I just really wanted to do something in the yard. I only have to pave about 5 more feet. I'll post the after photos tomorrow when I'm done.

I did get to hear from Richie today! Well, not hear hear. It was via his team blog that his co-leader wrote. She wrote a blurb from each of the team members and this was his...

"Shout out to Danielle-I miss you and hope you are awesome. Love to you and the family. -Rich"

The rest of the message said that they were doing street evangelism, teaching English, and using their musical talents. Most of the students love their leaders which speaks to Rich's natural ability to connect with people. Next week they will be doing Vacation Bible School. They did ask for prayer for the leaders. They were in need of a little TLC via prayer....I don't know what that means, but it's what the blog asked. So please join me in praying for Rich and his co-leaders Alana, and Glenalynn. Be praying for their health, safety, and spiritual growth. More info tomorrow!

New Outfit and Necklace

So today I went shopping and bought a super cute outfit from Forever21 for Richie and mines engagement photos. I also scored a $3 I love Los Angeles necklace. (Pictured below). I also finished the invitations for the engagement party. Their super cute. They look like tents from the circus. Totally go with the theme of the wedding. Today was a slow Friday. Super rainy. I'm kind of depressed. I haven't heard a peep from Richie since Sunday. I know its a crazy thought but each day that passes the further away from Richie I feel. He's off experiencing new things with people I've never met, and I'm at home by myself on a Friday night. Please be praying that I don't give into the negative thoughts.

Just Another Manic Thursday!

Still no call or email from Richie. I really miss him. I told him before he left that I wouldn't be left behind next time! I'm just home hanging out on a Thursday night. Not too much to report. I worked some more on those pinwheels. I also finished the Stones family photos! No sneak peeks though. If you want to see them, you need to check my Facebook tomorrow. I also got invitations for Richie and mines engagement party! They're SO cute! I cannot wait to show you all tomorrow!

On a side note I'm super excited about the new Winnie the Pooh movie! Cannot wait for Richie to come home so we can watch it together. Sorry about the lame post. Not too much to report other than going to work, finishing the Stones photos and painting my nails...I just hung around the house. Till tomorrow... :)

A hello from China!

My dear friend Laurie was able to send an email from China today! They have been gone for about 2 weeks. She and her husband Adam are staying with a host family. They are the 2 in the center. They go to school for a good amount of the day and have daily exercises interacting with the locals. It was so good to hear from her today!

Not too much to report. I worked some more on pinwheels. I also went to the Verizon store because my phone randomly keeps shutting off. So this could be problematic with Richie out of the country. I don't want to miss his call, if he can call. Today is the 2nd day with no communication (Monday I had a post on Facebook letting me know he arrived safely in Peru). It's weird not being able to talk to him. It kind of feels like we broke up. No communication and I'm still doing my daily routine. I cant wait for him to get back!

I also went to Target and bought picture frames and ledges for them to sit on in the bathroom. I hope Richie likes them when he gets back. I also got some quotes on well pumps today....getting a move on getting one installed. Most likely going to nail one down tomorrow. Hopefully all goes well.

Stone's Family Photos

Today was a good day. Woke up. Got a wall post from Richie letting me know he was in Peru safely. So now we are in the days of no communication. I know he will call or write or text if he can. I miss him a little less today. I think its because I was at work all day and other than coming home for dinner with out him, my day went the same it would as if he were home. After work I went to the gym and then had Catherine over for dinner! It was such fun to catch up with her. She helped me pick out some outfits for our engagement shoot. Which, by the way is going to be on July 29th! Whoot! So excited! I know our photos are going to be awesome. I love our photographers so much! Their work is always awesome. I'm hoping that because Richie and I won't have seen each other for a month our love will be seen so much more. I was able to edit some photos of the Stones from the shoot on Friday. Hope you enjoy the sneak peek!

One of my faves

Kept it just because it was hilarious!

This might be my favorite.

Hiccups

I have a mad case of the hiccups. No lie. They are awful! Nothing much to report today. I woke up and had an awesome breakfast at the house with Jess. Then I went to the pool with Jess, Alison, Nena, Melissa and Meg! The rest of the day was spent vegging.... Nothing much to report. Other than my self propel on my lawn mower stopped working....That's the worse! I'm SO sick of these weeds it's not even funny. SO ready to nuke them.

Rich left for the Amazon this afternoon. He called before he left. I already miss him terribly. This officially marks the day where I dont know when I'll hear from him again. It's scary to think the next time I'll talk to him will be 3 weeks from now. But I can't allow myself to think of that. Tomorrow I have Alison, Whitney, Carrie and Catherine coming over for craft night/ Gilmore Girls night. SO excited! Here are some photos from today.

My beautiful roommate and I

Alison and I

Melissa, myself and NenaBean! :) 

Today I got to skype with  Richie! It was a short chat, but nonetheless, it was so good to see his face. He is doing well at the camp with the kids. They were packing up to leave for Peru tomorrow. They have to get up at 3am to head to the airport. He didn't have too much to report. I really miss him. I'm doing a good job of keeping busy, and I'm so blessed to be hanging out with Alison more. But there are always those thoughts in the back of my head, of what is he doing now? Is he having fun? Is he missing me too? Long distance is hard. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I'll get to talk to Rich one more time tomorrow before he's gone. Into the Amazon. Sometimes I get jealous that he gets to go and I have to stay. Why didn't God call me? Why cant I go? Am I not fit to be an ambassador of Christ? But I know these are lies. I'm struggling with insecurity. It's not easy to let your fiance go into the Amazon with 2 female co-leaders. Don't get me wrong. I fully trust Rich. It's just that this is a trip of a lifetime. One that will change him forever. And I'm not there. He gets to grow in Christ and these 2 women, who I've never met, get to experience it with him. I guess this is where Satan begins to feed me lies. Lies that our relationship will be different when he gets back. Lies that we wont connect in the same way. Lies that he will connect with these women in ways he wont be able to with me. But the joke is on him. I hope Rich does come back different. I hope he comes back with a greater passion to follow Christ. I hope our relationship is different when he comes back. I hope he comes back a warrior who is ready to lead our new family. God has us right where he wants us. Even though it is hard to be apart, I know it wont be in vain. We will both come out of this changed for His glory. We were brought together to bring more glory to God. And I know that this time will be so worth it. 

"For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold."- 2 Corinthians 3:10-12

Bold is the word I got for Rich before he left. I am constantly praying for Rich to grow in his boldness for Christ. 

On to much lighter business....The photo on the left is from dinner. Alison and I ate a frozen pizza I bought, but I guess I didn't get it in the freezer in time because when we pulled it out all of the toppings were on one side. So we had to heat it up and try to make it more even. It actually turned out pretty well. AND it came with Toll House cookies! Alison and I also went to a co-workers engagement party. It was a lot of fun and I was so glad to have that fellowship. Also, before we went to the party, we stopped by Marsh Creek to drop off the deposit! Whoot! And I am so blessed that Norm Sapp was willing to sign our contract with us. If a member signs with you the club house fee is waived for the wedding! It was such a blessing that he was willing to do that for Richie and I. God is bringing this wedding together so flawlessly. I am so blessed.