Thursday, May 24, 2012

Myrtle Beach Days

Married Life adventure #1 - Weekend Getaway to the ever-classy Myrtle Beach.

About a year ago we got sucked into a TimeShare presentation/free weekend stay when we were shopping at Bass Pro Shops (David's little piece of heaven on earth). 2 Free nights in a resort, $100 gift card to Bass Pro (That's all David needed to sign up!) and all we had to do was sit through a 2 hour presentation? Sign us up!

The weekend was great! Turns out it was timed just right too, because Bike week started the day we left. Whew! Despite the 2 hour, which turned into 4 hour presentation, We enjoyed all the typical Myrtle Beach things - outlet Shopping, putt putt (which I killed David in!), Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, Resort Pools, Johnny Rockets, etc. We even went to a show,  Le Grand Cirque (which was like a mini-Cirque du Soleil) which was amazing! Trapezes, Motorcycles in a cage ball, acrobats, the works. If you're ever in MB, you should SEE it! So good. 

After being so busy right after the wedding, with all the moving and such, it was so nice to spend a quality weekend of just the two of us. Here's a few pics from our adventure!

 Part of The Cast of the Show - they're all one family from Romania - mom, dad, aunts, uncles, cousins, you name it. Talk about a family business!


THIS GUY - was hilarious. He was the mime/entertainment while we were waiting on it to start, and during all the breaks when they were re-setting the stage. So funny. Perfect for the part. 


One of the pools at our resort


Fun drinks from the poolside bar. David wanted his in his new Bass Tervis. Silly boy.


Relaxin' by the pool (which was freezing...so we just soaked up the rays!) :)


Our last day we went to Barefoot Landing and they had a TIGER exhibit! David had to pry this Clemson girl away from the fence to keep shopping. They were so beautiful...and HUGE!


These two loved each other. 


Our only pic together of the weekend...At least it's a good one!


As for our next adventure, this low country soul is craving some mountain views... so hopefully we'll make it happen soon!

Friday, May 4, 2012

The Times, They are a Changin'



As I sit down to write this blog, I don't know where to begin. But I think my mom put it best last night. It's a good time for change - for all of the "Fraylicks". (I totally still count myself as a Fraylick girl...although I love being Mrs. Irvin!) 
We've all found ourselves at brand new beginnings. I just got married (woo-hoo), Kristen got a new job (Children's Minister at FBC), Caroline's going off to college, and the big finale....my parents sold their beautiful house, and have moved. Though some changes have been tough, some have been so good (ahem...getting married!). Thus, I  am clinging to Romans 12:12 – "Let your HOPE make you GLAD; Be PATIENT in times of trouble; and NEVER stop PRAYING." I've claimed it as my verse through this season of life. 

Let's face it, as humans, we crave comfort. Contentment, being comfortable, and having somewhat of a routine, normal life. Throughout the wedding planning, I found myself saying "I'm just ready for a normal, daily life again. Ready for the constant busy-ness to be over." We like things the way they are, and big change often throws us for a loop. 2012 has been a year of constant change, so I'm trying to be patient until life settles down. 

Be patient in times of trouble. 
Last night was a tearful goodbye (for me, at least) to 344 Bermuda Towne Row. Our dream home. What my parents worked so hard for. But, it was time to let it go. I must confess, I was heartbroken. Angry, sad, and all around upset. It's our home. It doesn't seem right for someone else to be living there. I am trying my hardest to repeat to myself "It's just a house. Just four walls and a roof." But change is tough. I loved that house. The past four weeks (yes, pretty much since we returned from the honeymoon) have been non-stop packing, moving, and cleaning. But last night was the end of that road. 

Let your hope make you glad.
But, we have hope. It is absolutely evident that the Lord has provided, in what may seem to us, just in the knick of time. To Him, it was his perfectly timed plan. My parents were needing to sell the house, after being on the market in this toilet-bowl of an economy for 3 years. That's a long time - it had to go. God's timing was all over it. They got a contract the week I was on my honeymoon. I remember during wedding planning, my dad told me his prayer was for time. They needed to get through the wedding, then sell the house. And that's what God did. Precisely when He knew was best. And, they found a fantastic new town home to move to. 

Our hope is in all these new beginnings. Hope that comes with a new home to create memories in. Hope that comes with Kristen's new job - and molding all those little minds to know the love Jesus has for them. Hope that comes with a new beginning for Caroline, in starting a new life in college (FYI: I'm still trying to accept the fact that she's going to be a chicken, lol!) And hope for David and I, in finally being able to settle in as newlyweds and start our life together. We can move on from cleaning out my parents' house, to finishing our house, and making it our home. 

And never stop praying.
On Monday, I saw a verse on pinterest..."When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2 ASV My heart is most definitely overwhelmed. So I haven't stopped praying all week. Another confession, I have been slacking in this area for a while now. But, yesterday (coincidentally, the national day of prayer) I was in constant prayer. Every time I had a thought in my mind, I was praying. And God reminded me, in His ever sweet voice, that He's there. Just that simple message...He's there. He has been all along, just waiting for me to talk to Him again. He loves to listen. He loves when I come to Him. Which makes me want to come to Him even more. Such a sweet, comforting, restful, peaceful feeling. 

In short (after this  l o n g  vent of a blog), the times, they are a changin'. And we're hanging on. And knowing, that God's not done with us yet. If anything, this is all a reminder that we're not home. A house is not a home...our home is yet to come.