New Blog

I thought I'd start a fresh one : ). I won't guarantee frequent updates until I get a camera!

lindseyanneparker.blogspot.com

if anyone is out there : )

Thank You Charles

And thank you Christie for passing this on!


"Unerring wisdom ordained your lot, and selected for you the safest and best condition. Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances. Be content with such things as you have, since the Lord has ordered all things for your good."-Charles Spurgeon


(Perhaps my blog hiatus has come to an end, maybe not. Just don't want a good quote to go to waste : )!)

Thanksgiving 2008

Jean, Me, and Mattie

Mom and Deb out to eat in St. Augustine

Jess, Dad, and Me in St. Augustine

And a close up

I Moved Again!

Well, if you count moving from dorm to dorm in college, I have moved every year for the past seven years!
Still unpacking, but this is the new room. I'm really grateful for this new place I'll call home for the next year or so, or however long the Lord wills.

Roommate or Landlord?

One in the same. I've surpassed the 1 year mark in this house with Meredith. I've moved every year for the past 7, so it's no surprise to be moving again in just a couple of months. I've really enjoyed living with/renting from Meredith, who is getting married November 1st! She has taught me a lot about hospitality and being a grownup with your own home :) .

A Couple Months Back

Our good friends Seth and Jill got married mid July in Marion. I spent the weekend with Nana and Papa, right outside of Marion. No real reason for this post, except to say these are 2 sweet girlfriends, Caitlin and Kelsey. Kelsey moved in with me and Meredith in July and will move in with Grayson in January...they just got engaged :) . Caitlin on the left, Kelsey on the right.

Bye Bye Brad

Saturday night, we had an old fashioned "French send-off "for our good friend Brad. He is leaving Wednesday to study in France for the semester. I think the spread pictured above says it all. There were crepes and French fries. There was French vanilla ice cream and French vanilla creamer to go with the coffee and Pirouettes with which to stir such a cup.

"Let me try these fries."

Pri and Brad

The French flag that hung from the front windos...

"Don't forget about us Brad :("

Brad and the Renstroms

Katherine Fallis, Madison and Mikel Bass

Precious Girls eating crackers...

Q: "Who made this punch?!" A: "Maxine"

"As they say in France..."

Guests

David, Mark, and Katie..."Stars and Strips Forever"

Madamoiselles: Katherine, Megan, and Jenni

"Speechless"

From Left: Grayson, Ben, Anna, Pri, Tyler, Katie

I like to call this one, "Puttin' Out the Vibe"

And this one..."Ben in 15 years with a toupe and Brad, the French Rock Star"

Navy strip on the left guys...flag's backwards :).

The End

(To start at the beginning, scroll to the post titled, "Phoenix Highlights")...

The day after the wedding (Callie has those pictures), Callie and I decided to drive to the Pacific Ocean. Allyson's parents were so gracious and not only arranged a great stay with a sweet lady from their congregation, Virginia, but they also lent us a car for the weekend. Precious Virginia packed us a beach bag of towels, sunscreen, and snacks, and we headed to the Pacific. Callie was also a dear friend of mine in Turkey, so we enjoyed the time to catch up. We finished up the trip with dinner at panera with the girls, little and adult : ). Enjoy the pics below!

The Road to California

We left Phoenix Thursday morning with 2 babies, 2 toddlers, 2 strollers, and much more in a seven passenger van. With the dry heat behind us, we headed out on a 6 hour journey that would culminate with a weekend in the beautiful Beaumont, California. Our first stop was a bug infested McDonalds under construction in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. The babies slept, the little ones napped, and the moms and I enjoyed fellowship and the dessert view from the van window. We arrived in Beaumont just in time to get settled into the hotel, have a goldfish snack, and change clothes for the wedding rehearsal and dinner. My roommate in Turkey, Allyson, married Shawn Wilhite on Friday. Enjoy part two below, of a great vacation.

Phoenix Highlights

I just returned from a vacation (and reunion of sorts) in Phoenix and Southern California. The Smiths welcomed me to Turkey when I arrived in September 2005. They became like family to me. I had a great time reminiscing and trying to remember Turkish, playing with little Adeline and holding baby Lylah, and just "being" with them-seeing their everyday life in their new home and environment. Thanks Jeff and Andrea for such a sweet time! Below is part one of a great vacation : ).