Family, Friends, and FUN!

We made it to Knoxville, and we are greatly enjoying our visit here. We successfully TOTALLY surprised my parents by arriving a night earlier than they expected. It was SO hard not to say anything the last week or 2 when we figured out we could/decided to surprise them, but SO worth it! We coordinated with Brad and Joy to make sure Dad and Mom would be home. They were babysitting Charis Thursday night when we arrived. We also kept in touch with Brad and Joy on the phone and arrived at the house at the same time as they did. They went in first, so Mom and Dad would think it was just them arriving to get Charis. We followed in after them, and Dad and Mom looked shocked (but a good shocked, of course). It was so fun! :) The drive up passed SO quickly too, which was a huge blessing and praise--thank you, Lord! We made great time as well, and only ran into a little traffic north of Atlanta, when the bypass comes back onto I-75.

On Friday we mostly bummed around, and Matt and I took a spin around K-town. We went down to campus, and Matt got to walk through the S.E.R.F. building and remember the LATE nights he/we were spending working there just one year ago!! What a difference a year makes, and more than that, the difference of just one day. Yes, of course I'm thinking of Oct. 15, but even more I'm thinking of Christmas Day--the day of our Savior's birth. Everything changed and nothing would be the same without the day or the Resurrection. We have so much to be in awe of and thankful for and humbled by. Wow.

Friday night, Brad and Joy came over for dinner, along with Charis of course and Grandma. Then Ashley came over (one of my bridesmaids). It was SOOO much fun to catch up with her. She had some pictures from the wedding, too, which we love. I have diligently been working and coordinating with Matt on making our final selections for the wedding album. I think all we have left is deciding what sizes we want the pictues to be and chooing our 16x20 portrait. Yea!! Seeing and talking to Ashley was a blast, and Matt even loved hearing about Navy life and Ashley's experienc launching and catching F-14s on the Harry S. Truman. :) It was cool and such a blessing to see my best friend from middle school and the man I love enjoying each other's company so much. It was a late night of course--talking with Ashley always makes the time fly--but it was worth it.

Today we slept in (happy sigh), made some picture copies at Walgreens, picked up a grade book and carbon copy "note home" paper from the teacher supply store, had a big Christmas Eve lunch with Brad and Joy & Charis, relaxed, went to the 5:00 Christmas Eve service, and we'll be returning for the 11:00 too! We got to see Alan and Stephanie and the family at the 5:00 service, which made my heart light up. Our home in Gainesville is absolutely "home" at this point (praise the Lord--He is so faithful), but Knoxville and Cedar Springs are still the city and church that feel like home. It was wonderful to worship there and be with our Knoxville church family--I just feel at "home" in this city and church. But I know that will come with time in Gainesville too. I'm just so thankful God has made our house "home." :) That's a BIG first step for someone who always lived with her parents until getting married (and then moving 8.5 hours away). :)

We are so enjoying the opportunity to slow down and drink deeply of the riches of the family and friends God has given us in Knoxville. And as hard as it is to be new in Gainesville, it reminds me God WILL grow such roots in Gainesville in His time. We can trust Him to do it, and I am excited to look back and see how it happened. I'm sure it will be an adventure. :)

We love you, dear family and friends, we look forward to celebrating Christ's birth tomorrow in Knoxville and Tuesday night in Rock Hill. Alleluia! The Lord has come!

Merry Christmas,
Becca & Matt