Sunday’s sermon at Hope Church was about 4 Crossroads: choosing to walk alone, or journey with others; choosing to pretend or to be real; choosing the shortcut or the long road; and choosing comfort or change. Relationships are the place we find the challenge, encouragement, and comfort we need. Something Andrew and I have endured together these past several months. Dr. Morris referred to many verses that spoke directly to Andrew and I. Talked about being humble and patient (Ephesians 4:2), talked about using steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17). We’ve really had to be strong for one another during this time and some days we simply don’t talk about our future, some days we get frustrated, and some days are exhausting.
As I was sitting there during the last part of the message, I felt God speaking to me but said, "if this is You talking to me...I need reassurance, because me talking to myself doesn't really confirm anything." I was feeling more peace about our future (even though, a decision is still not made). I felt like wherever we go, we WILL make a difference and God puts us there for that reason – to share with others! Andrew has been calm throughout this whole new life-changing, decision-making time and we’ve both been back and forth on where to go and where God wants us. It’s so hard to follow Him and put aside what WE want and just wait for His call.
Today, Andrew walks out to go to school at 7:30a and halts after he opened the door…”are you serious?!” he yells out. Then a guy shoveling said, “yeah, no one saw this one coming.” While I still had about 15-30 more min of beauty sleep, he rushes and leans over me, “Honey, come look at your car, someone broke in your car!” He had a smile on his face so I halfway didn’t believe him…I finally stumbled out of bed and took the easy route and just looked out the window, snow was EVERYWHERE at least 3-4 in high! “What?!” I was upset, because I had been studying hard for an upcoming exam on Wednesday, and now…it’s just going to get pushed back! Needless to say, I crashed for some more sleep until he comes running in saying, “let’s go out and play” at 7:45a!! I’m usually adventurous, but this time…I need the sleep! However, he came back into the apartment with a bowl full of snow and started making snow cream!! I did manage to get up and have a YUMMY snow cream breakfast!!
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As morning went on, I went out to take pictures, hubby sarcastically yelled at me for having the door open…just for a minute!! Of course, I wasn’t happy since I didn’t complain the other night when he had the door open for at least 5 minutes to empty our vacuum cleaner!! Needless to say, I got right back to studying in a bad mood.
At 12:45p, right before heading out for work (unfortunately, hospitals don’t get off snow days), I checked the mail. I spotted a letter from Washington University, I took a very deep breath, and carelessly tore it open! The 1st sentence told me they were pleased to offer my admissions to the Occupational Therapy program at Washington University School of Medicine!!!! I almost didn’t read on until I saw they were also offering me a Merit Scholarship!!! Oh my, oh my…I ran in and yelled, “ANDREW, ANDREW!!! Listen to this…” I couldn’t even read it…I was shaking, my heart was pounding! I literally felt like I won the Super Bowl or a Grammy and already have a list a Thank You’s :) Andrew teared up, gave me the biggest hug, and expressed how proud he was of me all while I was saying, “I’m gonna throw up” or asked, “is this a trick?!” As many people know, I’m not so romantic at times like this, for this was a repeat for him (I reacted the same way when he proposed to me). .
I seriously did not know how to react! I called mom at home, on her cell, at work...no answer. Called daddy...left a voice message. Called MeeMaw...so thrilled she answered so I can tell her the news! So far, it's sinking in little, by little. I arrived a little late to work and my nervous system couldn’t handle much. In fact, I was so nauseous, sweating, feeling faint and just stared at my computer even after a couple hours. My hands were still shaking and my heart was still racing! I gradually told a few other people, but not many, because I just didn’t believe what I read! And now, I’m officially okay to say it, “I just got accepted into Wash U’s OT program and yeah…I’m NERVOUS!!”
Saturday night, my in-laws tricked me and Andrew played along!!! They threw me a surprise birthday party!! I LOVE them!!! Chris & Andrea definitely know how to be sneaky (because I am very hard to surprise)!
Andrew pulled off another surprise and showed up at work with beautiful flowers! Yes, mom, he got them at Kroger and put them together himself, including putting them in a vase we had at home! Although, I don't care much for flowers, this day...he couldn't have done better! It came with a card thanking me for all my hard work, support for him during this time, and just because :)
We were literally "iced in"!! So, we made the most of it...Andrew made an Ice Man, we went to the Movie & a Pizza place, "window shopped" at our island's hometown grocery, and ice skated in the street in our sneakers!!
Andrew being the good neighbor...putting down salt before the ice got worse :)
Andrew's big day started off with an early morning bang!! I made sure the world knew my hubby turned 30!!!!!!!!!!!! Most people know that I get adrenaline off being sneaky or running around like crazy just trying to pull off surprises! I LOVED every minute of getting up at 6a to start decorating the apartment while he was snoozing, throw some personalized ballons in his car, paint his car, taking my lunch break to squeeze in picking up some YUMMY homemade cupcakes at a local family owned bakery, decorating the residents' room at the hospital and the school, and leaving some treats behind! 
I nearly didn't make this surprise, I walked by the cafeteria in the hospital and saw a group of blue scrubs hanging at a table and looked over to see that Andrew looked directly at me! I hid behind a wall for a second before I proceeded past the other half of the cafeteria window. Thought about just bringing in the cupcakes then but just "tip toed by the window" and kept walking. Luckily, he didn't see me and I broke into the clinic with the help of some staff :) Whew!!
They actually make personalized confetti...he got lots of it!!
Mom made him a special treat...chocolate chip pie - YUM!!
