Sunny Florida

Driving home on 408 the other day... pouring down rain.

Dark, beautiful cumulonimbus semi-circle downtown Orlando. Some scatter off to the east near New Smyrna... a few down south near the airport.

Clouds and sunsets. Two things I never tire of, living in Florida.

Growing up here, I may have grown to take advantage of them. Moving back to live here as an adult has reopened my eyes to the beauty in Florida.

Sunsets here are some of the best I've seen anywhere in the world. Hawaii and Colorado are fighting to take first place.

Becky often raves about how much she enjoys and appreciates Florida and all it has to offer. I remember one time last year being jealous of the way she spoke of it. I thought to myself, Gosh. I am a Floridian. I was born and raised here and have lived over half my life here. Why don't I love it more? 

I boil it down to (literally) the heat. Living in the Carolinas, I became very accustom to seasons and loved the cooler and icier ones.

I like being cold. I prefer being cold. I don't like sweating unless I'm working out or laying out.

All that to say... I really do enjoy Florida. Even the past few weeks, I've been able to look up more, enjoying a flock of passing geese or other bird I can't name. I've closed my eyes as a warm breeze greets me while leaving headquarters. Smiled at the beautiful storm clouds as I walk out to my car at the end of the day.

And, finally, I will give major props to FL Parks and Rec. They are doing a fabulous job of making land, space, nature and fun available to all of us who live here and those who choose FL as a travel destination. Yes, we have Disney. But we also have some majorly awesome parks, beaches, protected areas and free nature to enjoy and experience most any day of the week, any season of the  year.

I still want to move to Colorado or Hawaii, and still hate the 95 degree summers here... but I want to appreciate it while I'm here. Whether it be one more year or 12... God help me. :)

rediscovering my normal

My routines, systems, daily habits, schedules, menu, sleep cycles, timeliness: busted. 

Spending time in the Word with my husband every day: our only constant.

I guess when you compare the two, at least the one that should be important, is. Right?

Marriage has not only enlightened me even more to my own insecurities, but completely defines and daily reaffirms the vows I made to Justin on June 9:

I promise to respect you. To honor you. To put you before my own selfish needs. 

I promise to listen to you and to listen to the Lord with you... earnestly seeking to experience the presence of our Living God. 

I promise to pray with you. Every day.

I promise to give thanks in all things.

I promise to subject and submit myself to you, in the fear of Christ, knowing this union is not about my happiness or what I will receive from you, but about our sanctification.

I promise to always stand up for you, never belittling you in front of you or behind your back.

I promise to be gentle and kind. Quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. 

I promise to daily lavish you with love, keeping your cup full so you never have to look for it elsewhere.

I promise to always bring out the KING in you, calling out and praising your gifts and strength.

I promise to love you well.

I promise to live life with open hands, not holding tightly to the things of this world.

I promise to represent our family well, as your wife, living confidently and also humbly as a woman of God.

I promise to be filled with faith, even when you are not or don't feel like it.

I promise to live willing to lay down my life for you.

I promise to die to myself daily, following and obeying Christ first, then you.

I promise to be a wife to you, and a mother to our children. In that order.

I promise to fulfill this covenant we are making today before God, one another, our family and friends.

Justin has made achieving these vows rather easy, save for "giving thanks in all things." That has been one that I've had to make a conscious effort to keep... and sometimes I say it sarcastically and yet the Spirit grabs hold of my heart moments later and I repent, go to Justin and ask forgiveness. It's been incredible, really. The "iron sharpening iron" that takes place almost moment-by-moment this past month.

So... yeah. There's a lot more to be said and that I've had rolling around in my head. But for now, this will suffice. Many lessons to be learned = many more blog entries of me admitting what a mess I am and how desperately in need of a Savior I am. :D

still grieving...

i read a friend's blog post tonight about her friend who's been battling cancer for 10 years. 


responding to her post, i wrote, crying as i read this because that's still all i can do when i think about sydney. i can't even write about her yet. i have an entire blank section in my journal from the day/week she died. i keep telling myself i'll go back and fill it in... but i can't. i won't. and, so the tears come and i try to burn her laugh, her smile, her accent, her walk, her hugs, her hilarious voice mails... burn them into my memory.


and it's true. i wonder when the day will come that i'll be able to let loose... i suppose i fear letting go of the memory of her. i'm afraid if i write about her, it becomes permanent. more real. makes me want to write less. 


i'm asking the Lord to ready my heart for the day i can sit down and write my sydney entry. just as she would slip on a beautiful, colorful necklace, i realize i need to embrace this new season of life without her. she would want me to. she would give me an awesome, funky, beautiful necklace to wear with her and be obsessed with... then she'd tell me to, "get going, amber rosalina."


i miss her more than words can say.

captivated

i'm amused by many things.

the past year i've been noticing more how i try and notice. more.

God gave us a pretty sweet earth to live in.

looking through my profile pictures on facebook the other day, i realized a theme: nature. i'm outside --usually somewhere beautiful-- in every single photo. coincidence? no way.

many years ago when i was at a fall retreat with my fellow crusade peeps, we participated in a spiritual exercise during a devotional time. i don't remember details, but there were questions and at the end, an analysis that helped you figure out the spaces or times in life you feel closest to the Lord. nature and music were at the top for me.

the outdoors and music are a gigantic piece of who i am, when i feel most alive and when i feel closest to my Savior. they also serve as a great comfort and can also be the source of great excitement or adventure. they go very well together, actually.

i think of climbing trips, hiking adventures, drives across the country, camping, dancing, running, collaborating, study sessions, late-night paper writing, deadlines and solitary moments when i've felt so close to the Lord i can't even describe it. all of these involve the outdoors, music, or both.

throw a few friends in the mix and it's pretty much heaven.

i love stopping to smell the roses. literally.

i go out of my way to do things like talk to squirrels, pet dogs, take pictures of butterflies and run through open fields.

i adore sunsets.

there really is something inside that allows us to be drawn to and captivated by the greater beauty all around.

thanks, Holy Spirit.

your love never fails

the soundtrack for my life the past few days... can't get enough of this song.

Enjoy and remember... "He makes all things work together for OUR GOOD."

Wow.

our largest organ

taking care of my skin has always been a priority.


growing up in florida, i spent a lot of time at the beach. those salty sea escapades required sunblock and aftersun aloe application.


as a teen, i was very into the 3-step process of "cleanse-tone-moisterize." that continued into college.


unfortunately, the past few years, i've not only been out of my 3-step routine, but sadly disgusted with the products offered. my search for healthy, toxin free skincare products always leads to disappointment. even, origins still has phosphates in it. ugh.


you may ask why i care so much. or you may not even be reading this anymore... either way, my biggest concern is that people aren't concerned. we are putting chemicals onto our skin every day. chemicals that didn't exist in products 30 years ago. those chemicals are being absorbed into our bloodstream. your body was not designed to fight against this onslaught of chemical warfare.


call me crazy, but i just don't think it's good for us.


so. slowly, paycheck by paycheck, bottle after empty bottle, i've been replacing my body, face and hair care products with more herbal, toxin-free, organic and homemade or farm produced products.


eli just started using neal's yard remedies organic skin products. i think i'm in love. yay, yay, yay. finally a family company that is making real, organic, skin products and do business under the motto of "people helping people."


if you're looking for great gifts, new makeup options or fun bath products 100% pure is a win. i've been using their lip gloss, bubble bath and lotions for awhile now. love.


and for soaps and more amazing lotion, i swear by windrift hill. best. bar soap. ever. farm made goats milk products. fabulous. the lotions are out of control awesome- they only have like 4 or 5 ingredients. annnd... they're in montana. what's not to love?


you know me... getting on my soap boxes about chemicals in our food and body products. never a dull moment, eh? ;)

NewCity

I’ve been thinking about heaven a lot more these past few months. I know some of you have mentioned it also, but I guess we just can’t help it.

At my church, NewCity, the pastor is really great at keeping us focused on Orlando, but also on the New City that awaits us one day with Jesus.

In a recent sermon he said, “Christ sees us as if we’d believed in Christ our entire life… as if we were going to be like Him tomorrow. He changes us slowly so we will need Him. Need His Gospel. Need His grace. We are waiting for our blessed hope. Waiting, watching, longing and yearning.”

I know it’s out of context, but so much of what he spoke rings true for us as believers.

I’ve seen the Holy Spirit at work in my life this year and I’ve watched Christ changed me slowly. I don’t know the rate of growth or change in my heart, but I feel it. I can look back over these past few months and give you specific examples of how Christ has changed me slowly so that I will need Him.

I guess when we arrive in our New Home, our New City, we will finally be full of everything we longed for here on earth. We won’t have any more needs. We will finally be with the One who fills us completely and freely in our new, sinless, bodies.

As this Christmas season is upon us, I get all warm and fuzzy inside like I have every year since I was cognizant of these feelings. I wonder if the shepherds, angels and wise men felt the same way as they took part in various roles of Jesus’ birth. I wonder how they felt going to Bethlehem after centuries of waiting, watching and hearing of this coming King.

In our City Bible Reading (CBR) we’ve been in Revelation… I really liked the image that appeared in my head after reading, ”And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:13 — I mean. Wow. What a noise that will be!

I don’t really know where I’m going with this, but I guess it just makes me ponder the feeling of anticipating, watching, waiting and longing for something to come. Not that we must focus only upon His return, but that the feelings accompanying those thoughts would be ones aimed at glorifying and praising Him. It’s pretty stinking awesome, if you ask me.

speaking the same language

recently, while on assignment in philadelphia, i was reminded how proper communication and conflict resolution often go hand in hand. and how often things i say are misunderstood.

guy was taking photo portraits of dr. mike atchison. i could tell mike was nervous.

attempting to help him feel more at ease and relate with him, i commented, "it's okay, i don't like my picture being taken close up, either, but you're doing great!" guy, somewhat seriously, replied, "maybe you should go take a walk," as he continued snapping photos of mike. mike and i were both laughing, and a few minutes later, i did wander off a bit.

later that evening, guy and i were driving to the hotel. he said, "hey, i wanted to talk about what happened earlier," and went on to explain that he thought what i said had been negative and discouraging. he asked me to think about how i would feel if he said, "it's okay, i don't like being interviewed either," while i was conducting an interview. i chuckled and explained that i've actually said that myself, if i feel the person is tense or nervous. but i didn't laugh off his comment. i apologized and felt terrible that i'd made him uncomfortable.

i guess my gauge for helping other's feel comfortable or less-nervous, is on the wrong side of the spectrum. guy affirmed that he likes it when i stay close, in case he needs help, and that i'm good at staying out of the way and helping carry things.

and of course i could go on a self-depricating rant about how i am misunderstood, but the reality is it doesn't happen often. i just know there are times when resolving conflict is going to happen and i'm fine with that. i just don't take people so seriously, and if i do, i ask them about it.

i was glad guy brought our little faux pa into the light. i want to make sure we're speaking the same language when communicating with our story subject and with each other.

these are a few of my favorite things...

i feel like i’ve used that title before. hmph. oh’well. not going to check, so unless you do, it won’t matter.

the past two days have absolutely rocked. let me rephrase, the weather has rocked. my world.

i love fall. honestly, as my sweet friend sydney would always say, “i’m obsessed” with fall. florida doesn’t lend to that obsession very well, but the sun shining through the trees, catching hints of yellow, lime and brown on the trees and bushes… that’s the stuff of dreams. i freaking love it.

i also love cozy blankets, seasonal candles (pumpkin, cinnamon spice, pine, evergreen, sugar cookie, whatever…amazing), fireplaces, snow, christmas lights (specifically white) and boots. yes, i love boots. and these sasquatch-sized beauties (my feet) love snuggling into them. i even like sweaters which astounds me because i couldn’t stand putting them on when i was younger. now days i just refuse to buy it if it’s not soft.

i have a texture fetish. completely non-sexual.

simply put, i really really really like soft blankets, soft clothing, carpet, grass, etc., anything that is what i deem, “cozy.”

that’s all i’ve got. if you were expecting me to sing, i’ll leave that up to julie andrews, which is a great way to spend 1 minute and 57 seconds of your friday.

not great at sharing my favorites...

a friend of a friend wants to borrow my copy of “the help.” normally, when someone asks to borrow a book, i have no problem sharing. but there were a few emotions involved in my response to this friend of a friend’s request:

1. my copy of “the help” was given to me as a gift and has a special note on the front page.
2. the copy is hard-back with dust cover. i don’t like my dust cover getting all bent up and yucky.
3. i don’t know the person asking to borrow my book.
so, no problem, right? i’m just being selfish and weird about my book.

but seriously… what if this person dog-ears my pages? what if they spill coffee on it? what if they take it to the beach? or read by the pool and get it all sweaty and yucky? what if their kid uses it as a step-stool? what if their dog chews it? what if they read it in the bathtub and drop it in?! (yes, ridiculous, but you never know!)

chances are, my book will be fine. it’s just a book afterall. but it’s a favorite. and, in telling this brief story to becky and jess, i realized that because my copy is a favorite, i’m having a hard time sharing.

i guess i can be like that with other things, especially new favorite things… like climbing gear, my tent, sleeping bag, etc.,

and not to be all deep and spiritual, but i really have asked God to take that selfish feeling away… the feeling that makes me think it’s mine because it’s really not. it’s His and He has blessed me with it, so i’m asking Him to help me learn how to keep blessing others, even with new or favorite things.

what are some things you have a hard time sharing?

Like

An Open Letter

Dear Television,

Here is why I don’t like you, and this is why I don’t think we can be together.

You have replaced reality.

I know you were made for bigger things. You were key, a revolutionary system of sound and picture that changes how the world communicates. Oh, you were so great, so connected. Suddenly mankind could see and hear across the globe, and cultures opened before our senses. You even started coming in color. But you’ve changed, television, and this isn’t me saying it in some ornery grandma kind of way.

You have stolen our children. You have been the force behind them being seen and not heard, as they glue their burning corneas to your pixels and avoid nature, games, interaction with actual real and living things.

They take you for reality. Their maleable putty-like minds soak you in, accepting your images as truth and attainable. Skinny arms, skinny waists, skinny jeans, anti-Rubenesque. Your “breaking news” makes significance out of molehills. If only life was truly that simple, that we needed to know about a celebrity’s DUI to understand how the world works.

You’ve become a constant, an addition to the ongoing white noise that keeps us tied to sofas. And if we aren’t tied to sofas, you’re there, in front of my treadmill. We’ve become dependent on your overstimulation, bored without your noise and moving scenes. You have overwhelmed our senses so that we no longer know how to be calm.

You dang machine which we’ve gotten obsessed with, first wanting color, then size, then flat-screened, then blue-rayed and hdr-ed and recordable and tivoed. You are an unsatisfying affair.

You’ve created an escapist culture, where the reality of reality is too much, that people turn to you. They “veg” before you. Instead of introspection of our own hearts and minds, we avoid, looking to sitcom solutions. It is so much easier to turn you on then to sit with myself, the real reality show.

I know you are here to stay. But I’m leaving. I will listen and look at real people in my life, care for the actual individuals in front of me. Make-up less, broken, raw with no soundtrack and no easy solutions. Quiet and loud souls that need deep prayers and deep conversation.

I’m sorry. I know you were meant to be more. But this isn’t working out, and this time, it really is you.

~Jess Fong

kiddos

Monday night we ate spaghetti, no cutting of noodles necessary. These kids know how it's done.

In between slurps of saucy, basil garnished noodles, we joked about ninjas, Star Wars and puppies.

Little Ben had three helpings -- growing boy. Lily opted to, "save her appetite for YogurtLand." Wise choice.

Clamoring out the door, Zach yelled, "Shotgun!" The other three raced behind him out to my Vue.

I love watching them wait anxiously to saddle up into my car, especially since it's significantly smaller than their mother's Suburban. Finally unlocking the door, they were able to pile in, filling all 4 passenger seats.

Arriving at YogurtLand I gave the strict, "Go easy on the serving size" warning and they ran to the various flavor dispensing stations, swirling sweets into cups.

Sitting outside at the table, elder Josiah shared my chair and was leaning on me when I exclaimed, "Gosh! I just wish parks were open at night. I wanna go play." The kids' eyes widened and Josiah's boney elbow jabbed me in the rib as he swung around, staring at me almost nose-to-nose, and said, "We can go to the wood fort!" Josiah looked at Zach. Zach looked at Lily. Lily called for Ben, who was playing on the small rocks and destroying the landscaping, "Hey! Amber said we can go to the park, let's go!"

We repeated our earlier piling into my vehicle and I made my way to the vaguely described park. I had no idea where we were going.

From the back seat, Josiah told me where it was. I had a hunch.

Pulling into a dark parking lot with a buzzing light and fields lit up for lacrosse and adult soccer games, I could see it. The massive wooden fort structure looming in the dark. It looked like a castle! (Apparently it's called Lake Island Park - off Denning.)

Ignoring the sign reading, "Park closes at dark," we each targeted various parts of the structure and began our play. First it was flashlight tag, then it became hide-and-go-seek.

An hour and a half later, we were sweating and it was 30-minutes past bedtime. I didn't care. We'd had an absolute blast.

We ended the evening by singing to Max the dog for his 4th birthday... and giving him a nice rub-down-loving before tucking in bed for prayers.

Love them.

just when i thought my day was over...

I don’t know if it’s spiritual warfare or discouragement but I’m fighting it hard.

After sideswiping my friend’s bumper at Aiguille (Honda Civic) last night I thought my troubles were over...

But no.

After my awesome morning of fainting and shots I thought for sure things were going to settle down.

Nope.

I came home to a very sick Jaime. Pretty sure it's the flu. He’s dead to the world. I have to take him to CentraCare in the morning, praying Tamiflu will work in time.

So then, after being late for small group I’m walking out the door and bump my arm on the doorframe. The arm with the tetanus shot. OUCH.

THEN, driving home from small group I saw a moped driving with no lights. I rolled down my window to yell, “Turn your lights on!” just as I slammed into a Honda (yes, another Honda Civic!) in front of me who was stopped at the ever-so-red light.

The girl was totally gracious and kind (and smelled of mint -why do I keep remembering that?)... We checked out her bumper with my flashlight. She said, “No biggie, I think it’s fine.” After I asked 5 more times, “Are you sure?” we parted ways.

I got in my car and bawled.

I drove home, came into my room and bawled.

I took my last dose of hydrocodone and bawled some more.
I’m so frustrated that I’m still coughing and this sickness threatens to return!

As for satan, he can kiss my pretty little big toes. He doesn’t get the glory.

I’m still practicing eucharisteo...

131. safe body even though bruised cars
132. writers devos
133. eli’s omelet offer (with salsa, my fav)
134. cool morning air
135. spice scented room
136. the privilege of modern medicine – even shots
137. tamiflu
138. honda civic bumpers under $200
139. fellowship with the body of Christ – worth the bump on the arm
140. sydney is doing 100% better and recovering each day

I love writers row — thank you for being there for me, listening to me, praying for me, laughing with me and being my friends.

groundhogs and more glory

big surprise that spring will come early. the rest of the country has snow on the ground and it's a humid 79 here in sunny florida.

and did i mention my youngest student successfully taught himself to read music in two weeks? that's right. he's my mini-mozart.

love watching him learn.

i can't decide if i'm ready for beaches... been thinking too much about colorado lately.

it's gloomy today and i have to finish my article on guyana.

go groundhog go... until next time...

97. joshua's piano skills that never cease to amaze me
98. morning prayers
99. returned phone calls
100. good-morning text from my love

since jaime doesn't read this...

he turns 30 on monday.

been asking since december what "special" way he'd like to celebrate his third decade.

nothing. "birthday's really aren't a big deal to me," he replied.

fine. well, i'm still your girlfriend and feel somewhat obligated and responsible for helping you celebrate your big day.

three weeks ago i approached a few of his closer guy friends at the rock gym. asked them if they could kidnap jaime for a night and take him out for some fun. "of course, we'd love to." great. perfect. all set. i have to babysit friday night, he won't be doing anything, it'll all work out.

super stoked that he will feel cared for, surprised and get to hang out with the guys.

well, jaime and three of his other friends all celebrate birthday's within a week of each other. they decided to throw a party saturday night. jaime invited people, including these guys who were going to be taking him out friday night.

last night at the gym the guys asked me, "are we still taking jaime out if we're all going out saturday night?" i just stared at them, then started crying, like an idiot. "forget it. it doesn't matter." great response, amber.

i'm not angry about the party saturday, it just feels stupid, crowded and uninteresting. i thought it would be way more fun for him to go out with a few close guy friends. so when those guys responded it made me feel like they were going to be inconvenienced if they had to spend two nights of their weekend celebrating jaime.

so what's my problem? why am i annoyed? well, we're not married, so i can't take him away for the weekend... i don't have enough money to buy him a season ticket to a red sox home game, so i settled for spring training... i don't like some of his friends, so i'm annoyed that those exact people planned a party and basically told us to show up...

there's more, but i'll stop there.

it's incredibly difficult to gives thanks when so many areas of my heart and mind are a mess.

God give me strength to stop feeling like i have to control everything that i want to go right.
forgive me for lashing out at You, blaming and complaining.
forgive me for questioning my worth. help me remember how much You value me.
give me kind words for people who don't do things the way i think they should be done.
give me eyes to see where You are in all of this.... work, relationships, decisions, exercise, money, time management.
give me motivation to put effort into the work You've called me to do.
give my tongue and mind strength to praise You for who You've made me to be, even when everything feels so messy.

four minutes

bryn said she used to do this with her new disciples when she worked on campus. so each of us here on the writers team have done it this past week.

take out a piece of pen and paper, or open a word document on your computer.

set a timer for 4 minutes and begin writing down all the things you love!

here's what my list looked like after the timer (aka: bryn yelled to stop) went off:

i, amber rose, love…
great danes
rock climbing, especially outdoors
biking trails, on and off road
driving, especially when it’s to a new place
little things, like small containers, miniature objects, etc.,
jaime eduardo alfaro –the way he cares for me, loves me when i’m grouchy and serves me selflessly, shares his stuff with me and cuddles.
technology, gadgets and figuring out how to use them
music, especially concerts and orchestral performances
dancing like crazy
funny people
dark chocolate
thunderstorms, especially at night
playing in the rain
wine
playing flashlight tag with the awesome moore children
wearing new jewelry
fall, specifically the month of november
traveling
trying to relearn and speak spanish
reading blogs
organizing things like drawers, cabinets, closets and book shelves
helping others feel cared for by serving them
skiing in water and snow

STOP! :)

your turn.

recovery?

my sweet boyfriend brought to light that i have a card reader built into my macbook pro. i popped it in and was astonished with how quickly it opened iphoto and downloaded my pics.

i happily ejected the card and had jaime show me how to format the memory card because i'd never learned how. i've heard it's good to format the card once in awhile just to keep it refreshed and clear.

before realizing my huge mistake, the card was put away, my laptop was closed and the camera stored safely away in my purse. all seemingly well.

hours later i opened my laptop, excited to look through my 150+ photos from guyana. no dice. iphoto had only downloaded 41 of the photos. my heart skipped a beat and i could feel my stomach churn. i felt like i was going to hurl.

instead, i took a deep breath and broke into tears.

on the way home yesterday i stopped at a camera store. i'd heard about software that could recover photos from formatted memory cards. as the man pulled up the files, i looked and was shocked to see pictures from two and three years ago, with only a few pictures from my guyana trip. everything was mixed and unorganized. the man said my card has bad file paths and there was nothing else he could do to help.

after making a fool of myself and crying in the store, i walked out feeling like a moron, completely disappointed and frustrated.

thoughts ran through my mind: why didn't i check my iphoto before deleting the memory card? why is this recovery software not working? where are my pictures?

today was my last hope. i downloaded recovery software onto my computer to locate the files myself. again, no dice.

i'm saddened by the reality that i can never ever recreate my experience. it's not like i was down the street at disney world. thousands of dollars and time went into that trip. my puny little 150 photos meant more to me than anything i'd brought back besides the story i'm writing.

maybe i'm being ridiculous, but it doesn't change the fact that i'm upset.

advent wreath

I really want one of these for December this year. Trying to figure out if I can squeeze $88 from my December budget... ;)

rooftop yoga, hummus, veggies and wine...

pretty much a perfect end to my day last night.

climbing hard on wednesday night left my body sore and tense. when my sweet friend, jess invited me to rooftop yoga at a local coffee shop, i jumped at the opportunity.

it was better than i could've imagined.

i arrived early and found my way to the rooftop, observing a gigantic painting resembling a colorful sun. i watched the sun fade behind downtown and listened to the sounds of evening, enjoying the cool breeze wafting through my hair. glorious.



for the first time ever i felt like i wasn't in florida. i was calm. still. content.

afterwards we headed to bikes, beans, bordeaux for tomato, mozzarella and basil with a plate of hummus, fresh veggies and organic wine. mmm... scrumptious.

we had wonderful conversation, laughing, crying and catching up. i think i found a new thursday routine...

Back story: Armenia

I miss traveling. It's been over a year and I'm itching to go. Praying it happens soon.

Until then, enjoy this snippet that took place my last night in Armenia.