One Year, Oh My...

Ray and I celebrated our 1st anniversary on Monday, May 14th. It's so crazy to think that we have been married for one year. I still vividly remember the chaotic time of the months leading to the wedding and the wedding events to day before and day of the wedding. I remember sitting in the limo after being picked up from my house and taken to the wedding site. I had my mom, my sister, two brides maids, and my flower girl with me...we arrived and they got out of the limo, leaving me with my thoughts, anticipation, and prayers about what was about to happen. To think back, I really wasn't very nervous...I knew what I was doing, I knew that I was marrying the man of my dreams and The One that God had given me, and I was filled with peace. I was more nervous about whether my dad would step on my dress or forget what to say when he gave me away or whether it was going to be too hot for my great grandmother. Oh the thoughts of a bride moments before one of the biggest times in her life...

On Saturday Ray went up to Jacksonville to hang out with the guys that are part of the launch team for our church in Virginia. While he was gone I watched our wedding video for the second time since we've been married (the first time was only about a month after the wedding). Ray will laugh at me and call me a "goofy women" whenever he reads this and realizes that I watched it (mainly because I have asked him at least 10 times to watch it with me and he laughs and says no...). I enjoyed watching it...I remember how I felt when I walked towards Ray that day...I remember looking into his eyes and becoming overwhelmed in the moment - trying to hold back the tears of joy and the excitement that filled my heart.

I have enjoyed every minute of being married to my husband (that still seems weird to say). He's truly amazing! We've learned a lot and have grown a lot in this year. It's awesome to look back at what God has done and all He's given us. But even more exciting is the anticipation of what is to come. With our upcoming move to Virginia, we know that God is in control and He's providing for us in so many ways. I can't help but think about where we will be in 5 or 10 years. Where will God have taken us?!

We spent the evening of our 1st anniversary with some wonderful people in Jacksonville. We had one of our last launch meetings in Jacksonville. It was a great evening in fellowship with the group.

Tuesday evening Ray picked me up from the house and we went out for dinner at The Garlic in New Smyrna. The Garlic is one of our favorite restaurants (they also catered our wedding).

After dinner we went to get the top piece of our wedding cake from my mom and dad's condo in New Smyrna.

Uncovering our wedding cake.

The cake...

When we got the cake home last night, it was too frozen to cut and eat. So, we cut into it and ate it tonight. Surprisingly...it was still a really good cake...1 year and 2 days later.

My Hubby Got A Job!

Good News...Ray had an interview today and was offered a job and he took it! YIPPEE! He took a position as a math teacher at Commonwealth Academy in Alexandria, VA.

I just had to share it real quick...

Update from DC

So, here's an update on what's been going on...

Ray was in Alexandria Thursday evening thru Saturday morning. He had an interview with Alexandria Country Day School that went very well. He returns tonight and will stay thru Sunday morning. He has another interview with Commonwealth Academy on Thursday and is attending the Job Fair for Alexandria City Public Schools on Saturday morning.

I flew in Friday evening. I attend the Job Fair for Alexandria City Public Schools, which went very well. I spent Saturday afternoon and Sunday hanging out with my cousin Chris, who lives in Arlington. He opened his house up to us to stay at while we are visiting the area. Monday was an exciting day for me, as I spent the entire day (7am to approximately 3pm) exploring the area of Alexandria. This was my very first time up here. I have visited DC and driven through it a few times; however, I didn't know what or where Alexandria was. I hunted down every elementary school in Alexandria, drove around the communities, and explored the sights to see. The area is absolutely beautiful. It's very diverse and multicultural. Each street is different is some way, shape, or form. There are mutli-million dollar houses and three blocks over there are houses falling apart, trash blowing through the streets and people hanging out on the street corner.

Monday afternoon I drove through the middle of Washington, D.C. as I was on my way to go visit April and John Tomassoni for dinner. Today I got up earlier and drove back into D.C. and spent a few hours walking around the streets of our nations capital. It was really amazing and got me so fired up. It's been years since I visited DC. I came up years ago with my sister, grandmother and grandfather, but it had to have been at least 12 years ago. I found a free parking space in front of one of the Smithsonian's and thus started my walk. I walked up the hundreds of stairs to the front of the Capital, then down Constitution Ave and in front of the White House. Then it was over the Washington Monument and off to the Lincoln Memorial. What amazing structures and monuments built to remind us of our history as a nation and the freedom that we have. It blesses me and excites me to know that God is going to use me and others in this great city; that a foundation will be laid, walls will be torn down, and God's love is going to shine in the lives of so many people!

Ray and I go house hunting tomorrow. Reality of our commitment to move up here has really begun to hit me this week. I know it's going to hit me even harder tomorrow. It is so exciting because we know that God has our best in interest in all that we do. Sometimes I feel as if I just turned 18 and graduated from High School. But when I begin to think that I am going to be buying a house and that my one year anniversary is only 14 days away...I think, wow, I have grown up fast. God is doing great and amazing things in mine and Ray's lives and we are fired up about what more is to come.

Our church signed the contract with the theatre that our church will be using for services last week. We are still planning to launch in September. There's a lot about to happen, so please, continue to keep us and the team in your prayers.

We will keep you posted with updates as there will be many. And pictures are soon to come, once I get home and can download the pictures that I have taken the last few days.