You can find me on the beach.

Back from a quick camping trip.  Eli, Mark, Rachel, Kadie, Josh and I went to Huntington Beach State Park located in Murrells Inlet, SC.  Eli and I got there late Friday night and joined the other campers.  We quickly unloaded and enjoyed some time around the fire.  Saturday was spent relaxing around the fire, riding bikes around the campground and naps.  For me, my favorite part of the day was when I walked out to the beach (steps away from site T5) and took a nap right on the beach.

The weather was PERFECT until.... Eli checked the forecast, Aunt Amy sent me a text and then a final call to the CSU weatherman confirmed.... time to go.  We thought at first we would be fine, so we packed everything up except for the essentials.  The guys tied down the remaining fort and we got ready to brave it.  Glad we didn't!!  It rained all the way home and all through the night!

 Rachel and Kadie picked out our campsite theme.

Mark securing the Eckert's Abode

the foyer

this is how we roll

the bear box and the "rip curl" (Eli's birthday present!!)

ready for rain

this is how you pack a tent "Christmas style"

Eli being goofy.

Until next time!!

xoxo

pt

I'm ENGAGED!!!!

WHAT?!!?!?  Yes!  So, my master plan of surprising Eli on his birthday was totally flipped on me! 

Here's what happened:

I planned a small party for him on his birthday, February 10th.  Everyone was going to meet at Becky's house at 8 and we were going to show up not long after.  All systems go!  Leading up to the party, Eli kept mentioning that he doesn't want a lot of attention put on him and that he hoped I didn't have anything major planned.  The day of his birthday he was acting super strange.  He was doing things out of the ordinary, but I just attributed it to him knowing that I had planned him something.  Well, we were en route to Fonduely Yours when Mt. Pleasant traffic was in full effect.  Plan B quickly went into action and we had dinner at Sesame.  At dinner, he was acting a weird again, but I didn't think anything of it.  We killed some time at Runnaway Bay listening to some reggae music and then made our way to Becky's.  

As soon as we pulled up, he saw his present from me..... a shiny new bike with a big red bow!  He was freaking out at this point (again, I thought it was because he knew everyone was inside).  We went in the house after him fighting it (I need to ask him if that was an act or not) and everyone yelled, "SURPRISE!!!"  He walked around and greeted everyone, checked out mom's "Cupcake Wars" cupcake display (close up below) and then quickly went outside with some of the guys to "check out his bike".  

At this point, I looked at my sister Rachel and I think she read my mind.... "everyone needs to leave."  It was like he couldn't even handle all the people there for him!!!  As soon as he came back in the door Rachel told everyone to come sing "Happy Birthday" and blow out the candles.  

So we sang.  (Cake is to the side of Eli in this picture).  Before he blew out the candles, he told everyone that he had something to say.  I thought for sure that he was going to tell everyone that he appreciates me planning this party, is glad everyone was all there, doesn't like surprises, etc., etc.  But instead, he asks me to come around to his side and proceeds to say......

"Julie, I love you......will you marry me..."   I have no idea what he said between "I love you" and "will you marry me"!!!!! But....

...I replied, "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!"

So his surprise turned in to my surprise.

I love this man and I cannot wait to marry him. 

xoxo

PT

CRASH

My mentor passed an email along to me about circumstances and a hopeful future.  It was so moving that I decided to post it as a "note" on facebook.  I obviously don't do that very much since I realized that what I am writing below was from November of 2010!  

I thought since it was the New Year, I would share with you things I so quickly forget.  I worked very hard to get out of major debt many years ago prior to moving to South Carolina.  I am so close to paying off my truck, but just beginning to pay back student loans.  It seems that it will never end, but there are ways to be smart and frugal so that I can live the life that God wants me to live.  Save more. Spend less.  That is what I strive for in 2012.  My pastor shared something that he felt the Holy Spirit gave him and that is this is the year of increase...however, along with that comes three things:  suffering, faith and submission.  I'm ready for what is to come and expecting to submit, suffer and increase my faith.  Thank you JESUS for saving me and living as my ONE and ONLY Savior!!!

Now, take yourself back to the Great Depression and learn from our past!

While doing some research for a project, I came across some great advice on a website that I thought I would share.  These are lessons that have taken me awhile to learn and understand, but aren't we all a work in progress!? 

Lessons Learned - The Great Depression

• Credit mentality instead of paying cash. “Don’t spend money you don’t already have in your pocket.”
• Rich grew richer at the expense of others. “Don’t pay someone else to provide something that you can learn to do or to make yourself.”
• Abandonment of traditional values and frugality. “Never buy anything you can use – only what you can’t live without.”
• Self-Indulgence and self-gratification by immediate acquisition of possessions. “Don’t buy anything until you have twice the purchase amount.”
• High Expectations by gambling in the stock market. “It’s doesn’t matter how much money you can make, but how much money you can save!”

Luke 12:15  “Then he [Jesus] said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions’” 

http://www.allabouthistory.org/life-during-the-great-depression.htm

Next post will be an update from my birthday, Christmas and New Years!

xoxo

pt 

Arm Yourself

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."  Ephesians 6:10-11

Do you notice the preposition "in"?  According to grammar.ccc.commnet.edu, a preposition describes a relationship between other words in a sentence.  A "relationship".  Be strong IN the Lord and IN His might.  The "schemes of the devil" are inevitable.  We know Satan is working against us with his evil schemes and Paul reminds us from the start that we can't do it on our own.  We have to be strong IN the Lord!!!

So, how do we be strong IN Him?  We put on the full armor.  We use the preposition "in" and remember the meaning of a preposition and work on strengthening our relationship with the Lord!!!!  I absolutely love the Armor of God passage in Ephesians.  Although I talk about it often, I find myself not acting on it.  How do we put on the armor?  Pray.  Each morning.  Remind ourselves to arm ourselves and pray for one another (vs. 18).

" ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."  Ephesians 6:10-18 


Update on my birthday weekend and other things to follow!!  Here is a picture preview from my birthday weekend a few weeks ago!  

 

See you next Fall !!

So last weekend, we went to Givhans Ferry State Park.  The weather was PERFECT for camping.  It was so nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the week and relax.  Although we did leave on Saturday to run a few errands and watch some of the football game at CSU, for the most part it was pretty low key.

I think that it is good to rest.  Sometimes I feel that I may want to rest too much.  I am always planning the next vacation or quick trip.  It doesn't always happen, but I enjoy thinking about how to get away from it all and take my focus off of the day-to-day.  

What does the bible say about rest?  The first thing that comes to my mind is the verse in Matthew about coming to Him, all who labor...and I will give you rest.  

I feel that it is important to hit pause and take time off.  I hope that everyone can find a place to go and get rest.  

After Eli and I finished running around Saturday, we pulled back on to the campground to meet the family.  As soon as we passed the state park sign, peace came over us both!  What a great place to be.  Surrounded by nature, family and a few noisy neighbors!

I can't wait until the next get-a-way.  Oh wait.  That is this weekend!  We're heading to the lake for another camping/lakehouse adventure.  Ms. Nettie will be joining the family and I can't wait to spend time with her!!!!!

Why don't you spend some time this weekend "at rest"?!?!  Take some time away with your friends/family and maybe even spend a little time in the Word!  He will give you rest!

Matthew 11:26-30 (ESV)

Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 

Cooking a "mean' hotdog!

OK...do you not want to LAUGH OUT LOUD when you see this picture!

I LOVE HIM!!!!!

What a great man!

Thanks for the pics Rachel!!!

"...Your sins are forgotten there on the bottom of the ocean floor"

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved..." Mark 16:16

I believed.  I was baptized.  But I don't really remember.  I think I was in the third grade.  There have been so many things that have happened in my life since the third grade.  A spiritual journey that looks like a roller coaster.  If I could draw a diagram in this blog, I would probably draw a little mountain (new, young third grade faith), followed by a LOW valley and now I am beginning a climb up a BEAUTIFUL mountain, closer to my Lord and Savior!  

I knew that I needed to be baptized again since rededicating my life to the Lord about three years ago, but never acted.  While in Peru, I witnessed three people get baptized.  At the end of the baptism, we were asked if there was anyone else who wanted to be baptized and I felt a burning desire in my heart to go, but didn't.  My cousin Sophie was baptized on August 23rd.  That evening, about 40 others were baptized as well.  I felt the urge to jump in then too, but didn't.  Finally, my church had a beach fellowship day on September 11th and I answered to the call to be re-baptized!!  This was the best place for me.  One of my favorite places on Earth is the ocean.  I love the song "Ocean Floor" by Audio Adrenaline.  Nothing like leaving it all on the ocean floor.

The mistakes I've made
That caused pain
I could've done without
All my selfish thoughts
All my pride
The things I hide
That you have forgot about

They're all behind you
They'll never find you
There on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
There on the bottom
Of the ocean floor  

The day could not have been better.  I was joined by three other girls from my church.  Eli led the baptism and so many of my family and friends were IN the water with me as well!

 

"...and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ..." 1 Peter 3:21

"...for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Galatians 3:27

"...Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38

"Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:3-4



Thanks for the photos Jon Abercrombie and Rachel Eckert!!

Jacksonville. Football and Family.

 As reported in my previous post, I returned from a wonderful weekend get-a-way to Jacksonville, FL late last night.  The trip started out as a surprise for my Eli.  I ended up telling him about it last Monday night because I was afraid that he would plan something, even though he [thought he] had to work over the weekend.  His reaction to the surprise trip was priceless.  I do however wish that I had done a better job of keeping my excitement contained and figured out a way to ensure that he was free and waited until Friday to tell him for an even better reaction!  But despite that, the weekend was just perfect!

We went to breakfast with Grandma Mamie on Saturday morning, the CSU vs. J.U. football game in the afternoon and spent time with his parents Saturday night.  Sunday morning we were able to worship at Titus Church with his parents and grandparents, followed by lunch.  We spent hours laughing and telling stories.  It was awesome to see the love and commitment to family that everyone shares.  I felt welcomed and included again at this visit with his family, which is so comforting. 

Overall, the weekend was refreshing and much needed.  I am so wonderfully blessed to LOVE and be loved by Eli and his family. 

I also must report that I am slowly becoming a football fan.  Although I do not understand it fully, I now have a reason to try!!

We didn't take any pictures.  I need to get a little better with that!

xoxo,

pt