pictures from the other weekend

I have no idea which weekend this was, but it was a few weekends ago, somewhere in the mess of all of our plans. 

Nathan and I took a full farm tour. 

We climbed the grain leg :)

it's a long way down

view of the round bales

we watched the sun set :)

It was incredible :)

So, the next night we thought we'd try being in the wheat field :)

And, I've discovered that there is a wannabe photographer inside me. 

wow :)

\

Hehe. I like sunsets, if you can't tell. :)
And, a picture just can't seem to completely capture them. 

Nathan and I have been reading through Isaiah together.  And, I find that Isaiah 40 is an absolutely beautiful chapter. :) You can't capture the beauty of nature with a camera and you can't capture God.

¹² Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

¹⁸ To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

²¹ Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

²⁵ To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

²⁶ Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

²⁸ Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.

²⁹ He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

      ~Isaiah 40:12,18,21,25-26,28-31

In Christ

~Michelle

quick catch up and news!

Last Saturday, Nathan and I went to his friend's wedding in Springfield.  It was a nice wedding, but a long drive so we left before the reception. 

We spent the day, Sunday, in Princeville.  Jim and Marlene had us over for supper after church. 

The rest of this week, I've been going through the piles of stuff in my room. I've managed to get rid of a lot of stuff already but, there is so much more. 
I've also spent some time recuperating by the pool.  It's so relaxing. 
I've done small bits of wedding planning and started a few projects.

This evening, was our fifth shower in Champaign. It was so great to have a formal way to thank the church for all of their support. It was amazing how welcoming they were and are to us students. 

Wedding plans are going well. Bridesmaids dresses are getting done and arriving at my house. I love my dress. It's so pretty, and lacy, and I love it. Have I mentioned that I love it? :)

Monday, I went to look at another apartment. I fell in love. 
Tuesday, Nathan and I ran the paperwork back over to the apartment.
And today, (drum roll please) the landlord let us know we got it! We have a place to live! :) woot! Let's just say I screamed and giggled a lot. 

Things do come together. :) All in God's timing. 

In Christ
~Michelle

Crazy July

Yes, I'm still alive. Awake? That's another subject.

Two weeks ago, I spent the weekend in Champaign. I got to experience their Sunday school picnic and spend some much needed time around the apartment.  That Wednesday night I went to another picnic with the Champaign church and then Nathan and I headed back to central Illinois.

Thursday, the 4th, we picnicked with the Wyss family and then went to fireworks. 
I love fireworks. 

sparkly :) 

These "weeping willow" ones are my favorite.

I love when you can see the smoke from old ones.

finale 

:)

 Friday, the 5th, I laid out in the morning, with plans to get great things accomplished in the afternoon. ha. Emily V. and Katy K. invited me to go swimming, so, after vacuuming out my car, I headed to the pool. :)

I got home, packed for the weekend, and headed off to my personal shower. :) 
It was great. Despite the fact that I was extremely tired and sun-burnt, I really had a good time.
Yes. It was awkward.  But, personal showers are awkward by their nature. :)
It was so much fun to see all my friends again. :)

all the girls :)

the core-4 from the 'good old days' :)

The party ended at 10:00 because, Michelle is crazy. :)

After the personal shower, I drove home finished packing, drove to Champaign, met up with Laura, Katie, and Ashley, and at 12:30am we were on the road headed for Athens, Alabama. :)

The U of I yg, the sane ones leaving during the day on Friday, went to Athens to visit Susan.  The late night crew arrived at 7:30am and slept through most of the morning's activities. But, it was yet another great weekend, despite exhaustion- which I am becoming quite accustomed to. 

tehe. Metropolis gas station at 4:00 in the morning. :)

sleeping arrangements

Tennessee Fellowship Center

 Before we left on Sunday, someone mentioned to me that my tire was looking flat. So, we filled it at a gas station and went on our merry way.  About two hours down the road something began sounding funny. there was a loud roar and occasionally it sounded as if something was being flung around the tire. 
We pulled over to find that my front tire was nearly shredded. 

Nathan working away :)

all the observers :)

Order of events: Tire comes off, spare tire goes on, spare tire flat, spare tire comes off, main tire is taken to walmart, waiting for walmart tire, spare tire filled, drive to walmart, shiny new tire gets put on car, drive away happily into the sunset. Actually, to Sonic where we ate supper before getting back on the road. :)

With the one and a half hour pit stop and a traffic jam our trip took three hours longer then planned and we arrived in Champaign around 11:00. 

Monday I went back to my internship.

Tuesday, I left my internship early drove home, changed clothes, and drove to Princeville for a shower. I drove back to Champaign after the shower.

Wednesday, was my last day of internship. I'm going to miss it. I loved the work I was doing.  I got back to my apartment packed up all of my things and drove back home.

I am now fully moved out of the Upper Room. And, this house is a mess. We still don't have a place to live so, everything is piled up all over the house. 

Thursday, I babysat all day long, got home around 6:15, showered, changed, and made it to the Wyss family shower by 7:00.

And, it's not over yet. Four showers down. Two to go. 

Whoever says engagement is a wonderful time, is crazy. hehe :) I think it's just plain exhausting. :)

Oh, and, thanks to BBB who will not let me forget, the countdown has begun. Three more weeks. Eek.

In Christ

~Michelle