my 2013

This past year instead of trying to stick to a new year’s resolution, I saw someone post on facebook about choosing a word and seeing how that one word can change your life. I chose the word Strength for the year 2013. It is so incredible to see how this word has worked in my life for the past year. It has been one of the best years but also one of the most difficult years I have ever experienced.  In 2013, I experienced a roller coaster of emotions that only Strength from God could help me through.

I completed 2 semesters of nursing school (ONLY ONE MORE TO GO!). This has been one of the most wonderful, yet draining things I have ever done. I have worked with patients that have made me want to pull my hair out, some who changed my life, and some whom I will never forget. I pray each day when I go into clinical that I learn something new and can help better a person during my time with them whether it be physically or emotionally.

 

 

I also saw Devin graduate from ECU. Since I have been at ECU, Devin has also been there. He has been my comforter and a constant friend to me. Since he graduated and moved back home, I had to learn to live without him being there every day. We have already done the long distance relationship thing when he first went off to college after high school so having to do it again has been challenging. I know God is strengthening us and bettering ourselves during our time apart.

 

One of the things that knocked me and a lot of our friends to our knees… I lost one of the most important men in my life on May 15^th, 2013. Mr. Donald. This is a curve ball that we were thrown this year. Losing him was not in our year plan at all. This just goes to show it’s not our plan. It’s God’s plan. His plan is so much more than what we can envision. Though we do not know why he was taken from us so suddenly, we just know to have constant faith in God and know that He is our healer and will provide us all strength to get through this difficult time.

As you all may know….I got engaged to my best friend on June 8^th, 2013! It was the most wonderful and perfect day thus far in my life! He truly made me feel like a princess. We have done a lot of wedding planning over the past couple of months, but I honestly can’t wait until October 4, 2014 so I can call that handsome man my husband!

 

I pulled my first summer working at Sunset Slush of Holden Beach! This is the store Devin, Drew, Mrs. Susie, and Mr. Donald had opened a couple of years back! The atmosphere of the store is so welcoming and happy. Tourist turn into family friends after they return year after year. I had worked in a local restaurant for the past couple of years, but with the stress and grieving our family was going through, I could not emotionally handle the restaurant industry. It was so hard to leave a work family I had been with since I was 16 years old, but I felt my time there was up. Being surrounded by the Sellers family while working was very comforting. Sunday nights were family nights. Devin, Drew, Meghan, Mrs. Susie, and I all worked together. We did a lot of laughing, dancing, crying, fussing…but that’s what families do. We stuck together this summer through the good days and the bad days.  

 

Now this is something I am so excited about…My sister is engaged and I had the priviledge of seeing Drew propose to her! What a special moment that was! She found her soul mate and they are going to tie the knot!

On December 28^th, 2013…I saw my two dearest friends get married! Maggie and Sam Hickman are now MARRIED! Devin and I got to be the witness on the marriage licenses hahah! What a blessing it has been to watch the two of them fall in love and become one. They have such a pure marriage and I cant wait to see what God has in store for them.

These are just some of the events of my year 2013. God provided me with the strength to face each challenge. I have learned to trust in him and use him as my strength rather than relying on myself to do it all. I pray that you all will read this and be encouraged to choose a word that will help push and challenge you through this next year!

MY FIRST WEDDING SHOWER!

This past Saturday, my best friend Maggie had her last wedding shower which was her Christmas shower brunch! Maggie and Sam will be getting married in less than 3 weeks and I know that is an excited couple! I have enjoyed watching her and Sam grow and form into such a beautiful, Christ loving relationship with one another.
 

Devin and I also were given our first wedding shower this Saturday!

 

Christmas season passes through our engagement time, so this was a perfect theme for our first shower! My Aunt Lisa and Aunt Sami were gracious enough to put together this shower for us. At the shower, we had aunts, cousins, grandmas, friends, some of my bridesmaids, and my 2 main men Devin and Little David all there to celebrate.

 
 

Christmas time has ALWAYS been a favorite time of year for Devin and I. It is a time where there is no stress from school, time to enjoy family and friends, and a chance for us to create traditions with each other. We were given some of the most beautiful gifts at the shower. Lots of ornaments, stockings, decoration, etc. Now we just get to organize it, pack it up, and have it ready for next year to put up in our FIRST HOME TOGETHER!

(My "Sweets tree" from my fabulous Bridesmaids)

(Cowboy stockings)

This is an ornament that has a photo of Devin's dad in it. I cherish this so much for many different reasons. This picture was taken on our last Sellers family vacation to the mountains. This in my opinion was the best vacation we had ever taken together. We sat around, did much of nothing, and just enjoyed the time we were allowed to spend together. We all miss our dear Papa Bear more than words can describe. Every year we hang this ornament, I'm sure we will reminisce on this trip and remember the wonder father that he was.  

Sellers tree!

Ok, ok...I have big news…

Drew, my sister’s boyfriend (now fiancé), told me in October that he wanted to propose to my sister! This added so much joy to my heart! When my sister loves someone, she gives them her entire heart. She has had her heart broken a couple of times which always crushed me too. To see her hurt, makes me hurt. I believe that my sister deserves the best and I wasn’t going to let her settle for anything less than that. Anyhoo, I met Drew in March of 2011. I instantly knew there was something different about the way he looked at my sister. It was like he had the entire world at his fingertips every time he was near her. He shows patience (with us Enzor girls…you have to have that), love, and kindness to her.

My sister has been nothing but good to me during my engagement! She has helped keep me on my to-do list, collecting some of my stuff she knows I’d probably loose on my own, and I know she’ll keep me sane when wedding time is in full blast. Now I get to do the same for her! I have gotten the chance to learn from her, so now I get to return the favor! I am beyond excited to part planning, dress shopping for her, going to bridal conventions together, and creating yet another pinterest board! I am so blessed to know that my sister has found the one for her. I wish y’all a happy engagement and let the planning begin!