goings-on

It's been a full few weeks since I've been in the South. I've had time with friends and time with family and that's been awesome! I expected to be much busier than I am. This week there's obviously quite a bit going on and little projects needing to be finished but other than that it's been calm. Here's a bit of what I've been up to:

One of the things Becca wanted to do when I got here was "watch a movie and eat pickles". So we did. Got Bride Wars and spent an evening in front of the

When I was, oh, 12 or so, I was quite strong. We have pictures and I'm actually really muscular (though incredibly skinny). Anyway, I used to pick Dad up on my back just because I could and carry him around the house (weird, I know). So I tried to see if I still could - and I can. I wanted proof in case people didn't believe me. And yep, he's trying to be odd in the picture.

Making poofy things for the reception. I think they're called Mexican wedding flowers. But "poofy things" is much more refined. You should see the dining room and the stair rails; they're COVERED in big and small versions of these things. It looks like a party. Mom keeps cutting them out and working on them... and we join in too when we're not doing anything else.

And lastly, I went strawberry picking with Grandmama and Granddaddy a couple of Saturdays ago! It was so fun (and HOT. and crowded!). I spent the night and Granddaddy just suggested that we get ready and leave for the strawberry patch. A rather quick trip, since Grandmama and I had to go to my bridal shower a little later, but so much fun! I made one pie with the results and tonight I'm making another one with the frozen leftover berries.

And last, but definitely not least... I'm going to the airport today - to pick up Carson! And making the aforementioned pie... since he got wind of the last one I made and begged that I save some berries for him :)

wedding site

A few people have requested that I put it up... so here's our wedding website link:
Carson and Lindsay

mothers and grandmothers

a happy mother's day to all the mothers and grandmothers in my life!
{especially my mother}
(because she had to put up with me and because, well, she's the best one I've got)

My mom

My dad's mom (Grandmamma)

My mom's mom (Nana)

My mom-in-law (to be)

My grandmothers-in-law (to be)

Testimony to a Very Faithful God

I'm back home.
For the last time as a Norman.
That part feels odd.

I've realized being here this time that "this is it!" This is the last time I'll be here sharing my family's last name and keeping a majority of my things here, coming back on every break for weeks or months. I've wondered for a long time whether or not I'd end up back here and I guess for now, the answer is no. That's difficult and strange, but it's not bad at all... Not only because I'm really excited about the next phase of life, but also because I know that God is leading and I really am content in that.

Content!? Is it really me saying that, with all honesty? Yes, it must be. It's not the first time I've said it, but somewhere along the road, I must have learned how to be satisfied in God.
More likely, His work in my life every year and every day convinces me that I can trust Him and be content in Him. It's not me at all... that's why I can be content. The next breath or day or month or year or season rests on Him and not on me at all. Such a relief to trust someone with your life fully and not wonder and worry or think of better ways for it to be handled.

As I went through papers and letters I've kept through the years, I found a printed email that I've kept and reflected on through the years, from my wonderful encouraging friend, Erin. Here's a snippet: "Keep entrusting yourself into His hands Lindsay and rejoice with the anticipation and expectation of that great and glorious "unknown thing" He has purposed for you to do!" She closed the email with "Rest in Him!"

I don't feel boastful at all to say that I think my life has been a testimony to God's faithfulness, at least personally. What I mean by that is that when I look at the things going on right now, I can always look back and see God at work. It is clear that He works through His word, and obviously by the godly friends, like Erin, whose words have been used in huge ways. I am thankful, SO terribly thankful, that He challenges, grows and nudges me and is alive and that I can look back and thank Him for all He's done and how He's used people, and look forward with expectancy.

As I prepare to become a Bay, I can't help but be thankful for all God has done in my life as a Norman. He has very clearly made all of this happen. All praise to Him alone.

And oh! Rest in Him.

30

Quite recently, I was asked what my favorite number was. "6", I said. The following week, it was "5". In a couple of days I'll declare my favorite number as "4".

But today, it's 30!

Thirty days until the wedding :)

(my actual favorite number is 7 and it will resume after May 22)

bridal shower pictures

Hope you're ready for a LOT of pictures. Here are many from yesterday, for my mother and anyone else who really wanted pictures. (Mom, a CD with detail shots and stuff is in my possession. These are to fill the time till I get home.)

My cousin-to-be, Crystal

Owl wrapping paper!

Bird platter (love it!)

My first rolling pin. Which is apparently a big deal. Everyone was SO excited over this :)

I'm just happy to use it.

With Grandma Arlene (Bay side)

With Grandma Gerre (Bradford side)

New grandmothers and new mother

Grandma Arlene and Grandma Gerre (look at those primary colors!)

With Grandpa Jack (Bay)

Ribbon bouquet, thanks to Aunt Shannon!

Aunt Shannon, Aunt Kim, new Mom and the Grandmothers (all Bradford side except Grandma Arlene)

The grandfathers - Lowell and Jack

Me with the cookie decorating competion winners - Susan, Faye, Lorinda and new Mom :)

The cookies that tied for second (mine is on the right)

Last to leave - Fern, me, Shannon and new Mom

There ya go!

deserving nothing, getting everything.

A year ago, if you were to ask me what I'd be doing in twelve short months, I would NOT have thought I'd be at my own bridal shower. I would have laughed if someone were to even suppose that. "Engaged?" I'd say, "and who's the groom?"

And yet, the day has ended with a bridal shower behind me. I am richer in things for a new home and realizations about the place God has put me. I love when days end like this!

I sat in a living room as the center of attention, opening gifts. As I ripped open carefully taped sparkly paper and admired shiny new cookie sheets, I realized that twelve months ago, I knew no one in that room. Ten months ago, I'd briefly met a few of them. Two months ago, I met more of them. This afternoon I even met some of them. And because God orchestrated life the way He did, twenty-five or so people gathered today. How's that for "God is good"?

I never really thought that it was about getting showered with gifts anyway. I knew it was that the people who loved you spent time planning and shopping and giving advice. I just didn't realize that there would be so many people who would do that in such a short period of time. Some (new family) got up early this morning just to drive here for the shower!

They showered me (us, since I am not marrying myself, after all) with gifts. They showed me so much love. And they blessed me immeasurably. The advice given was out of years of struggles and triumphs as married women. The genuine interest and care... well, it was genuine. These are ladies who love the Lord, love my new family, and as a result, love me.

I did nothing to deserve this, except finally accept a date with that frustratingly persistent Carson Bay. And that's only after refusing and ignoring him (am I a gem or what? Thank you Carson for pursuing. Thank you God for making him pursue :) ). Clearly, God is in this and I can't take an ounce of credit. Clearly, I am where I am because God has put me here. I'm surrounded by tons of people I don't have much history with but couldn't imagine not having in my life. I live with people who call me daughter though I'm not.

Isn't that just like Him though? We deserve nothing but death (Hell) and God has given us everything - life by the death of His own Son... and then continues to give us great extra stuff. Like people who give you bridal showers and offer you jobs and give you motherly advice. Deserved? Nope. Entitled? Nope.

Humbled... well actually in this case, yes. I am humbled and grateful that I am where I am, that it is not because I am who I am but because God is who He is, and that He's led me here... and that it's so obvious to me that it is Him and not me. I can't imagine my life being anything other than what it is right now. But I said that a year ago.

So there you have it... I am

thankful

blessed

absolutely not entitled

absolutely rich in the people I get to know

...O magnify the Lord with me :)