Unspeakable Joy

"Joy, unspeakable joy, rises in my soul, never lets me go." -Chris Tomlin's "Joy to the World"

When Thomas and I got engaged in April, a 16-month engagement felt like an eternity. He was transitioning to graduate school and I was starting my career. We would be living in two different cities, learning to grow closer as a couple even in a long-distance relationship.

But as I sit here on the couch in my pajamas, sipping tea and munching on Christmas cookies, I'm reflecting on God's goodness, His peace that sustains, and the many blessings He has given us since that April evening.

Last Sunday, December 18, marked the halfway point in our engagement. Eight months have flown by and we now have less than eight to go until our wedding day. I'm filled with such JOY.

That day will be here before we know it, and so much has happened in the past few weeks:

Baylor beat Texas Tech (my little sister's school) on November 26 for the first time since 1995, ending the Red Raider's season. We got to sit on the Baylor side this year and it was an amazing victory!

On December 2nd, our Bears went on to defeat the University of Texas 48-24, making us undefeated at home with our first nine-win season since 1986. It was also the second time we beat the Longhorns in two years, so it was extra sweet.

Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy! It was truly our proudest moment as members of Baylor Nation. And in less than a week, our team takes on Washington in the Alamo Bowl. It may be our last time to see the Heisman winner wearing green and gold, but none of us will ever forget where we were when we heard the award announced!

On December 11th, Thomas and I took our engagement photos with the incredibly talented Rebecca Cash of Captivating Photography. With the busyness of the holidays, we probably won't see the images until after the new year, but we had an absolute blast and can't wait to see them!

Once Sarah finished her final exams, the four of us took off on a four-night cruise to Cozumel. It was most likely our last family vacation before I'm married, and it was so fun to relax and soak up some sun with my parents and little sister.

With that little update, I'm now signing off for three days of Christmas bliss. Three days without work. Three days of family, food and gifts. Three days of sleeping in, cozying up with a good book and watching movies. But once Tuesday comes and I have to return to the office, I'll still be reflecting on God's graciousness to us. And the greatest joy of this season is celebrating the birth of our Savior and the freedom we have in Christ.

Wishing you the merriest of Christmases!!

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15

Proverbs 31

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

Back in October, a documentary called "Miss Representation" aired on OWN. I think you can still catch it in segments on YouTube, and I really recommend taking the time to watch it. It has so many great bits of truth about how the media has severely skewed our ideals of worth and true beauty, and how women need to take a stand against the lies society feeds us.

One quote from the film really stuck with me: "so much of what the media is about is making you feel anxious and uncomfortable."

Think about it. That ad for whitening toothpaste makes you uneasy about your own smile. Commercials for the latest, greatest foundation stir emotions of insecurity in your looks that get you off the couch and down to the local make-up counter.

That discomfort is exactly what drove girls to their Facebook and Twitter feeds after watching last week's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Girls took to social media to complain about their bodies and imperfections, or to make public professions of plans to hit the gym. It's also what led Baylor student Alex Eklund to start a movement. A movement to encourage girls to strive for worth according to the Bible, and to spur Christian guys on toward pursuing girls with the character spelled out in Proverbs 31.

It's so refreshing to see godly guys of my generation rising up to reassure the girls in their lives that they're beautiful and worthy of love. Check out the movement's Facebook page, follow @Live31movement on Twitter and view the video below. With more than 2,500 fans (and counting!) committed to "live 31," lives are sure to be changed.

"I'd rather have a Proverbs 31 woman than a Victoria's Secret model."

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
'Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.'

Proverbs 31:25-29

Baylor Homecoming

"Because of what Baylor has meant to you in the past, because of what she will mean to you in the future, oh, my students, have a care for her. Build upon the foundations here the great school of which I have dreamed, so that she may touch and mold the lives of future generations and help to fit them for life here and hereafter. To you seniors of the past, of the present, of the future I entrust the care of Baylor University. To you I hand the torch. My love be unto you and my blessing be upon you." -Samuel Palmer Brooks, 1931

I love Baylor.

After graduating in May, I've been fortunate to not be "cut off" entirely from college world. I spent two full months in Waco this summer as I searched for my first job, and I've been back to visit at least twice a month for football games and to see that special guy of mine. Even though I've been a Waco regular, my first Homecoming as a Baylor alum was better than I ever dreamed. You think Homecoming is amazing as an undergrad? Just wait until you graduate. The feeling of returning to campus to celebrate your alma mater is magical.

I took Friday off of work to fully embrace the weekend's festivities... breakfast with Kaitlyn at Cafe Cappuccino, surprising Meredith at work, dinner with Thomas, Clara and Laura at Rosati's, the Homecoming bonfire and pep rally, followed by an engagement party for our friends Adrienne and Zach. And that was just one day!

One of our all-time favorite couples, Sterling and Meredith.

The Kriegels

Congratulations Adrienne!

Saturday morning came too early, but after grabbing Starbucks (the line at Common Grounds was wayyyy too long), Thomas and I were ready to go watch the parade. Baylor's Homecoming parade is the largest collegiate parade in the country, and the floats students build are incredible. It was fun to watch this year as a spectator, but to be honest, we were so busy walking through the crowds to visit with friends that before I knew it, the parade was over.

With Thomas and my beautiful future sister-in-law, Clara.

Sisters at the ADPi Breakfast in Burleson Quadrangle.

Thomas and some of his awesome fraternity brothers.

ADPi's adorable float - "See You At the Mad Tea Party." Each chair at the table was a different Big XII school. Note the A&M chair to the left. :)

Before seeing the afternoon performance of Pigskin Revue, after which we raced to Floyd Casey for the football game and another Baylor victory.

I am so very thankful for Baylor University. I've been blessed with irreplaceable friendships, lifelong memories and a many years to come of continuing to love the green and gold.

"... return to campus to renew former associations and friendships, and catch the Baylor spirit again." -First-Ever Homecoming Invitation to Alumni, 1909

Grown-Up Wish List

I once read a wedding blog that explained perfectly the emotions and mindset associated with creating a registry.

"It’s kind of a strange thing, registering. You go through the store and pick out all of these things that you want, and then you go home and remind yourself that none of them are currently actually yours." -Anne over at Delightfully Engaged

And it's very true! We had so much fun creating a wish list for our life together, but at the same time it was weird to go "shopping" and come home empty-handed.

A few weekends ago, Thomas came to Austin to visit, and while he was here we created our registries at Bed Bath & Beyond and Crate & Barrel I now have images of bath towels and bedding floating in my head, and I can just imagine Thomas and myself in the kitchen, cooking up a storm with the gadgets and appliances we added to our list.

We started at Bed Bath & Beyond, where we got our first little dose of reality. The registry consultant led us to the bath section and instructed us to pick out a shower curtain with matching towels. Thomas and I stood there for a few minutes, trying to come to a decision on something we hadn't really discussed. When you're booking the church and researching bakeries and florists, you don't take time to think about interior decor for your future home. I know we'll be in Austin, but haven't the faintest idea about where we'll be living or how many bed/bathrooms we'll have. It took a few minutes for us to come to our senses, relax and not get overwhelmed with the our choices, and we quickly agreed on a shower curtain we both loved. It was the first of many little victories that day!

He had too much fun with that little scanner.

Didn't think we'd find bedding we liked at Bed Bath & Beyond, but we were in luck. What we love about this grey duvet cover is that we can pair it with any color. Maybe yellow? Or navy?

The day was so wonderful, and it worked out perfectly that the next day Crate & Barrel was hosting a private registry party for engaged couples. We went after church on Sunday, before the store opened to the public, and registered for our place settings, flatware and other home accessories.

After registering at Crate & Barrel, Thomas and I met my parents for brunch at Roaring Fork.

Registering with Thomas got me that much more excited about our approaching wedding day. I can't wait to decorate and create a cozy place where we can relax at the end of a long work day, someplace where we feel completely at home!

Thankful

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Psalm 107:1

This Thanksgiving, I'm so humbled by God's faithfulness to provide and His love that sustains me.

Last year, Thomas and I spent Thanksgiving with the Reeds in Memphis, and this year he's joining me in Austin to celebrate with my family. I'm thankful that this Thanksgiving is just a preview of the holidays to come once we're married. Cinnamon rolls for breakfast, curling up on the couch to watch the Macy's parade, cooking and eating with family... in 268 days, Thomas and I will be husband and wife and we'll be together for every holiday. So very thankful for him!

I'm thankful for my wonderful family. Sarah came home from school on Tuesday and we've already had so many laughs. She's so darn smart and was just elected to executive board of Alpha Delta Pi at Tech. So proud of her! I have the greatest parents too, and I'm so thankful for the blessings of living at home with them until I'm married!

I have so much more to be thankful for this year... graduating from Baylor in May, having incredible friends that love me and challenge me, even from afar, and being blessed by a wonderful job that I enjoy.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Hope you all enjoy time to relax and reflect on God's goodness with family and friends this week!

To Have and to Hold

I'm behind in my blogging (still to come: wedding registries and Baylor Homecoming), but I'm going against my need to be chronological so that I can blog about a really special weekend.

On Friday night, Thomas and I met nine other couples (including our friends Kendra and Christian) in Salado to attend a "Countdown to Marriage" retreat. The weekend was put on by Legacy Family Ministries, an organization that exists to prepare engaged couples for Christ-centered marriages. We heard about it through our church in Waco, and though they offer a six-week class at Highland, we knew that a three-day weekend retreat was best for us since we have a long distance engagement and can't be in the same place every week.

It was absolutely incredible.

We laughed, we cried and we prayed, and along the way we learned even more about each other as future husband and wife. Our group sessions covered God's purpose for marriage, roles and responsibilities for husbands and wives, finances, emotional and spiritual intimacy, and communication. There was also plenty of free time built in for the two of us. Venturing off on the nature trails to talk, sitting in rocking chairs looking at the stars, playing a life-size game of checkers... it was so wonderful to disconnect from the demands of school and the working world and just spend time together.

"God created marriage, so only He can sustain it." I know that because of this weekend, our vows will be even more meaningful. When I walk down the aisle on August 18 to become Mrs. Reed, the covenant Thomas and I make to each other will be stronger because of the Lord's work in our hearts this weekend.

Summer's Mill outside of Salado

Kendra and I were in 304 and the boys were next door

The cute little lodge where we had our sessions.

We had a few hours on Saturday afternoon to go into downtown Salado, and Kendra and I felt like we were in Pinterest heaven.

With Christian and Kendra, whose wedding is in July!

I would recommend Legacy to any engaged couple. The time you spend preparing for your marriage before it even begins will be sweet and irreplaceable, and I can't quite put into words how much this ministry has impacted our lives and relationship.

Thank you, Byron and Carla Weathersbee for your heart for engaged couples and for being a wonderful resource for Thomas and me for years to come!

Baby Kade

Before Kade was even born, Jenni asked if I would take his newborn photos. I was honored and so excited, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.

I love being behind the lens, snapping photos and capturing memories. I've taken engagement photos for friends, helped my dad with a couple of weddings, and had a few family shoots, but never a newborn. Thank you, Jenni and Kyle, for trusting me with your little 11-day-old bundle of joy!!

I certainly learned a lot by photographing sweet Kade. Patience is key with babies! If you can keep them warm, pose them ever-so-slowly, and rock them gently to get them to fall asleep, you can capture some precious pictures. At the same time, you're racing with the clock. As soon as they're awake, they're a little fussy and ready to be fed (or changed) and you've lost your window of opportunity.

We took some photos at their home a few Sundays ago, and then went to a park two weeks later to get family photos with their pup Cooper. Here are just a few of my favorites!

Getting a newborn to balance his chin in his hands is not as easy as it looks!

Kade, you are so blessed to be loved by your amazing Mommy and Daddy. Can't wait to see the little man you'll grow up to be!

Fall Break

Fall Break was just one of the many things I loved about Baylor. Not many other schools in Texas give their students a three day weekend "just because," and just because I'm graduated doesn't mean I can't still observe the holiday!

Last weekend was Baylor's Fall Break, so since Thomas didn't have class on Friday, we decided to fly out to Albuquerque to visit my sweet grandparents. The weather was beautiful and we had an absolute blast!

On Friday, Grandpa joined Thomas and me for a ride up the World's Longest Tramway to the top of Sandia Peak. My grandparents live in the foothills of the mountains, but the last time I've been up the tram was at least 10 years ago.

It was 45 degrees at the top and there was even a little bit of snow. The view of Albuquerque was awesome and made for some great pictures. Before heading back down, we enjoyed lunch at a restaurant called High Finance.

Excited for all the traveling we'll do together!

My amazing Grandpa

On Friday night, we all went to Savoy for dinner. A flight of white wine, a filet mignon and creme brulee... what a treat!

On Saturday, we woke up just in time for the Baylor/A&M football game. The outcome was not at all what we were hoping for, but it was still fun to watch, and Thomas introduced my grandparents to his awesome gumbo for lunch!

We relaxed for a little while that afternoon, and then Grandma brought out her Speech Pathology textbooks from the 1950s to give to Thomas. It was adorable to see her and Thomas bond as Grandma offered up stories of her days as a speech pathologist and Thomas shared stories of his graduate studies.

[Almost forgot to mention... two weeks ago, Thomas was given his internship placement for next summer. At the end of May, he'll officially move to Austin to intern at a hospital 10 minutes from my house!! I could not be happier!!]

Saturday night entailed a trip to the casino followed by dinner at a little hole-in-the-wall Italian place called Paisano's, where I had the most amazing butternut squash ravioli with brown butter and sage with fresh parmesan.

Our trip was over all too soon, and on Sunday we flew back to Texas. Grandma and Grandpa, thank you so much for having us! We can't wait to come back and visit!!

Yet Another Waco Weekend

During my years at Baylor, I often made trips to my cousin's house to spend time with her and her husband and kids. It was nice to have family in town, even though I was only 90 miles from home. When I was overwhelmed with the stress of school and internships or when I started freaking out about graduating, hanging out with her kiddos seemed to make everything better. Nothing like a three-year-old to bring you back to earth. Caleb and Bayleigh are such a fun part of our family!

Two Saturdays ago, Thomas and I spent the afternoon at Caleb's soccer game. It was so fun to see him running around the field, and he even scored a time or two. So. Adorable.

With the star player!

What a stud.

In this video clip, Caleb tries his hardest to play defense and turn the ball around. When your legs are that short, it's harder than it looks! You can hear us all saying, "other way, other way!"

After his game, we were on our way to the next - the Baylor game against the Iowa State Cyclones. We hung out at the Phi Chi tailgate for a little bit and then headed inside to watch the Bears secure another win. I just love having season tickets!

Melissa, Alex and me

Sooo windy. Excuse the hair.

Heather came to visit for the day!

After the game, a bunch of us got together for homemade Dr Pepper floats to celebrate the win. It was another wonderful weekend in Waco! And an added bonus? That Friday night, I was reunited with my dear dear friend Jennica who was in town from Thailand. I'm so bummed I didn't get a picture. Follow her blog as she spends 5 more months teaching English in Bangkok! You'll thank me - she's huh-larious.