It's in those moments...

It's so easy for us to become consumed by the negative things in this world. I mean just look around: family and friends are sick and dying, wars are raging, inequality causes unrest, bills are piling higher and higher and you feel like you're drowning. It's a never-ending vicious cycle with bleak endings nowhere in sight.

 

And then you have have those moments. It's those moments that remind you that God is in fact still present. Amidst all the bad, there is still beauty and hope in a dark world. I like to call these moments "God moments." Here, let me give you some examples of my personal God moments...

 

Last Friday, I was in the last 30 minute stretch at work. Watching that clock and all my focus was on the weekend ahead of me. I just couldn't wait to get out! A girl I work with comes around daily to do the trash and housekeeping. Her and I have always just talked about the usual: weather, work, weekend plans. Nothing too deep here right?

 

Sometimes her young daughters come with her to help and I always love talking Frozen, dresses, and all thing girly with them. The oldest of the 2 informed me she was having her practice this weekend for her talent show at her church. I asked her mom what church they go to and it was as if time stopped. We were able to sit and talk and cry about our spiritual walks with Jesus. I was able to share with her mine and Hunter's ministry plans; she shared with me how Christ saved her life from addiction.

 

That was a God moment.

 

Need another example? Just yesterday I was at work and on the phone with Hunter talking about consolidating our bank accounts and trying to get that whole mess straightened out. As I'm talking to him, I'm just pulling up my different student loan accounts to see what the minimum payments will be so that I can be prepared to pay them once I get my paycheck.

 

As I'm pulling up my largest student loan information ($24k just fyi), I noticed that a large payment was made on my account after I had already paid the minimum payment on it for this month. I'm literally staring and gawking at the $2500 payment that was made. I immediately told Hunter and he was just as speechless.

 

I called the student loan company, sure that it was all a mistake. The representative assured me over and over again that it was not a mistake, and a payment had been made on the account. After further mulling it over, I realized how and why it was paid. Either way,

 

that was a God moment.

 

I have tons and tons of God moments that I could share. I could literally write a book that would never end. If you're reading this and you're thinking, "Well I certainly haven't had a God moment lately." Really? You waking up this morning is a God moment. You're not guaranteed each day, people. Some of you may be saying, "Well I haven't had a God moment because I can't get that job I want, have a baby, pay off my bills, etc."

 

First and foremost, know that we all are fighting our own battles. So I do not discredit your struggles in any way shape or form. But have you thought that maybe you haven't had this God moment yet because God is wanting you to learn patience? Have you ever thought that maybe He actually does know what He's doing and will provide accordingly in due time? And have you ever considered the fact that maybe you haven't fully given it all over to Him?

 

Trust me, I know the feelings #struggleisreal. I used to be the most impatient person out there. I couldn't stand that all my friends were graduating college before me, getting married when I had ended an engagement, or having babies when I had just started my relationship with my soon-to-be husband. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. But can I just say this? Once I fully, and I mean fully (not saying oh I trust Him but in the back of my mind I'm still dwelling on it) gave it all over to God, it was amazing!!! Did everything I ever wanted happen right then and there? Nope, but I sure as hell wasn't worried about it anymore.

 

Stop trying to force those God moments and just let it be. Because if/when those moments do come, ohhhh man. It's a beautiful beautiful thing my friend.

 

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I'm sexaayyy and I know it...

Have ya'll noticed anything different 'round these parts? No, you haven't? Have you considered getting glasses?

 

Just kidding... Maybe. But! SoKo Blog has gotten a facelift by none other than yours truly! Isn't it great? I just love the vintage look. So my style, ya'll.

 

I've added some new categories to the right hand side of your screen so feel free to check those out. The Welborn's is anything and everything that has to do with us whether it's wedding, relationship stuff, whatevs. Our Home will be anything from DIY's to (hopefully) the journey of us moving out to Quincy and establishing our new home there. And finally, Faith is all about my awesome Jesus.

 

Feel free to click around, check it out, go see Ashley and request to have your blog redesigned. It's uber fun I tell ya!

 

On a different note, is it feeling like Fall weather where ya'll are at? Please tell me it is because it definitely is not feeling like scarves, boots, leggings, and PSL's down here. My deoderant has packed its bags and left for cooler weather because it's so dang tired of trying to keep my sweating to a minimum.

 

Was that TMI? Oh well...

 

I was listening to the radio this morning and the radio DJ's were commenting how excited they were that today is only a high of.... 88!! And I'm sitting there all like...

 

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I just can't help but feel sorry for some people. You're excited that the high today is only going to be 88 degrees and you're carrying on about Fall weather and how it's here? Bless....

 

Hope ya'll have a fabulous Tuesday!

Our Wedding: All the Pretty Flowers!

I decided to share some ideas that we're throwing around for my bouquet, Hunter's and the groomsman's boutonnieres, and the general idea of baby's breath. Bear in mind, I've already made my bridesmaids' bouquets. Both girls requested fake flowers to be able to keep after the ceremony and as a memento. You can find all of these on my Pinterest board.

Just making these decisions with Hunter has only made us that much more excited about the big day coming up. Let's see, we're exactly 1 month and 2 weeks away. Eeeek!!

Wait, you're having a DRY wedding?!

in the fact that we have come a long way from our past, then maybe providing the means for irresponsible people (gasp, those exist??) to get absolutely drunk (because hey, go big or go home right, and it's free) may not be the best starting platform for our ministry.

Call us old-fashioned, call us goody goody, call us Jesus freaks. At the end of the day, we're paying for you to eat and drink, be appreciative of what you're receiving you heathen (I kid, slightly).

Another reason that is pretty obvious, is money. I would so much rather invest the money into really good food and cupcakes rather than beer and wine that you will most surely be urinating and possibly barfing up in just a few short hours. Seriously, barf up the dadgum good fried chicken before you lose the Bud Light. I digress.

Finally, probably one of the best reasons for me, what if a friend or family member drank themselves into a drunk stupor, drove home at the wee hours on these back country roads where the suicidal deer like to play chicken, and died. I know, I'm being slightly melodramatic but it's not far-fetched by any means. We've had that happen to friends and ya'll, I simply could not live with myself knowing that I had helped aid that person into a drunk stupor to only get behind the wheel, and lose their life.

Not happenin' captain.

Like I said earlier, at the end of the day it is our big day and we're standing by the decision we've made. We have received some push back from folks and honestly, I just give them our reasons (which I would like to add that we don't owe anybody reasons) and then inform them if being drunk is much more important to them than celebrating the marriage of 2 people, by all means, go drink your heart out in a bar. You're one less mouth I have to feed buddy.

I  hope this didn't come off as a rant. Just simply a perspective on a subject of our wedding. We honestly cannot wait to celebrate our marriage! Even if it's just us chickens dancing to the beat of Alan Jackson or the Allman Brothers while we sip on our sweet tea, I couldn't ask for anything more. And while I'm at it, I'm going to grab me a nice cold beer to celebrate our decision to have a dry wedding. How do you like them apples, heathens?? Again, I kid (on the heathens thing).

Last Friday Night...

The Day Has Come

::drum roll::

Today is the day.... Jep is getting fixed!!!!

Our little wild, 10-month old, escapee-from-the-pen is being neutered today. Thank you Lord Jesus for bringing this blessed day upon us. Let's knock some of that testosterone outta that kid.

 

In other news...

 

+ We found Hunter a suit! Once it comes in and he can try it on for altering, I shall share some pitchas.

 

+ I bought an adorable bird cage from Hobby Lobby yesterday. It's for the wedding, duh.

 

+ We're starting to get RSVP's back from sending out wedding invites... I literally squeal every time and share with Hunter who all is coming.

 

+ Muscadine grapes are in... and I'm in heaven. Totally makes me think of this song every time...

 

You ever been to
Rome Georgia
Picked peaches off the trees
Climbed the water tower in Paris Tennessee
Been to Florence Alabama
Drank muscadine wine
Just give me a chance to change your mind
So before you go and fly away girl
Let me show you 'round a country boy's world

+ My dress is pretty much ready to go (just putting on some last minute buttons) and it is exactly how I envisioned!!

+ Hunter sent this to me the other day to cheer me up...

 

Be still my heart

 

Did you know...

few of our....

ENGAGEMENT PITCHAS!!!

Ya'll, enjoy these as much as Hunter and I have! Fun fact: The barn and fields in some of these pics is our reception location. Yep, we're that cool.

 

 

 

 

 

Just a few more weeks then I'm Mrs. W!