I am no longer a Burcham! WOO HOOOO! Drew and I finally tied the knot :) We have since merged blogs. Our new blog address is:
2-ns.blogspot.com
Love,
Mrs. Ackermann
Friday, August 24
Saturday, July 28
13 and counting...
Man, the last time I wrote in this blog, there was 36 days left until the big day. There is now 13. WHAAAT? It's pretty crazy how the time seems to fly and creep.
Some updates...
- The calling period is over at work! (WOO HOO!) I got the last day and half off with pay because we were done. It's a good feeling. Now, we just stuff envelopes and bags.
- There may be an opportunity for a full-time position with ACS really soon. I think I want it. The job is an income manager for Relay for Life, meaning I would work with volunteers full-time. I think I'd like it. Something to pray about though - the hours aren't regular and the commute is a bit far.
- Drew and I are moving our stuff into our NEW apartment this weekend! We found an apartment in Annapolis, supersmall, but brand new! We are excited to paint and have Emily help interior design until she leaves for China.
- Today is our wedding band practice, which we could not be more excited about. We have a TIGHT wedding band. You'll see :)
- My sisters and Amanda threw me a great shower. I am constantly amazed how generous people are. I am beyond grateful.
- Our engagement pictures should come in the mail today and will be posted promptly :)
- I officially have the BEST bridesmaids ever. Man, they're great.
- Drew and I got a joint checking account. Ha. It's pretty interesting, learning to share the little money I have. We are learning how to compromise and I am learning to respect Drew's authority in another aspect of our relationship. We have only had one money argument, and I think it was a good learning experience for both of us :) We just got checks that have BOTH our names on it, including my new name!
- It's so good to have money! But we are spending it left and right! Last night, we bought a sofa for the apartment (!) and gifts for our wedding party. We really don't mind spending money on these gifts, REALLY, but we had to get over sticker shock for a second there.
- We both forgot about our birthdays. Everything gets overshadowed by the wedding. It's sort of funny really. I planned a dress fitting on Drew's birthday. Someone asked me if I was excited about my birthday the other day and I must have looked like an idiot because I said, "My birthday? What day is it?" Ha. The wedding takes the cake (no pun) when it comes to celebrations this year :)
The main point: I am happy and excited. A very good combination. I am continually surprised at God's goodness, though I guess I shouldn't be. Besides physical blessing, God is ever so slowly changing my stubborn, rock heart through other people, Monday nights and even in wedding planning. It's a slow process really. But I am beginning to see more clearly some of the things He wants me to see, which I have completely missed before.
Good life. Now.
REALLY good life. 13 days. :)
Some updates...
- The calling period is over at work! (WOO HOO!) I got the last day and half off with pay because we were done. It's a good feeling. Now, we just stuff envelopes and bags.
- There may be an opportunity for a full-time position with ACS really soon. I think I want it. The job is an income manager for Relay for Life, meaning I would work with volunteers full-time. I think I'd like it. Something to pray about though - the hours aren't regular and the commute is a bit far.
- Drew and I are moving our stuff into our NEW apartment this weekend! We found an apartment in Annapolis, supersmall, but brand new! We are excited to paint and have Emily help interior design until she leaves for China.
- Today is our wedding band practice, which we could not be more excited about. We have a TIGHT wedding band. You'll see :)
- My sisters and Amanda threw me a great shower. I am constantly amazed how generous people are. I am beyond grateful.
- Our engagement pictures should come in the mail today and will be posted promptly :)
- I officially have the BEST bridesmaids ever. Man, they're great.
- Drew and I got a joint checking account. Ha. It's pretty interesting, learning to share the little money I have. We are learning how to compromise and I am learning to respect Drew's authority in another aspect of our relationship. We have only had one money argument, and I think it was a good learning experience for both of us :) We just got checks that have BOTH our names on it, including my new name!
- It's so good to have money! But we are spending it left and right! Last night, we bought a sofa for the apartment (!) and gifts for our wedding party. We really don't mind spending money on these gifts, REALLY, but we had to get over sticker shock for a second there.
- We both forgot about our birthdays. Everything gets overshadowed by the wedding. It's sort of funny really. I planned a dress fitting on Drew's birthday. Someone asked me if I was excited about my birthday the other day and I must have looked like an idiot because I said, "My birthday? What day is it?" Ha. The wedding takes the cake (no pun) when it comes to celebrations this year :)
The main point: I am happy and excited. A very good combination. I am continually surprised at God's goodness, though I guess I shouldn't be. Besides physical blessing, God is ever so slowly changing my stubborn, rock heart through other people, Monday nights and even in wedding planning. It's a slow process really. But I am beginning to see more clearly some of the things He wants me to see, which I have completely missed before.
Good life. Now.
REALLY good life. 13 days. :)
Friday, July 6
Happy Fourth!
Ahh, you know summer is really here when it's the fourth of July. This year was a good one :)
Photo ops of Mom and baby can never be passed up :)
Hayden is just so photogenic :)
Drew and I spent the day at the Strickland farm with our friends. We swam in the pool, stuffed our faces with crab (and "Andrea's Hit-of-the-party Seven Layer Bean Dip", which actually isn't 7 layers) and of course, oohed and ahhed over Hayden Thomas in the pool. It was freakin' sweet. We didn't even see fireworks this year. Who cares. The day was the bomb (small pun intended).
Photo ops of Mom and baby can never be passed up :)
Hayden is just so photogenic :)
P.S. Drew and I have decided to consolidate blogs when we get married. So, prepare yourself for the merge :)
35 days...
Friday, June 29
Traffic lights and wedding rings
Why is it that we think we deserve so much? Commuting to work everyday has really opened my eyes to the selfishness of our culture. Everything in America is geared for our self-gratification.
A couple of weeks ago, Mike talked about creating an idol out of ourselves, putting ourselves above everything else. This really is the core of our culture. Every issue, sin, wrongdoing can be tracked down to our wish for selfish gain.
In Donald Miller's book "Searching for God Knows What" he talks about how mad we get when we feel we are slighted. He uses the example of someone being cut off in traffic. We yell and curse and throw our hands (and fingers) up. Why? Because we feel that someone doesn't think we are important enough to respect. We think our time is more valuable than their time. Think about what kind of commotion can start over someone being disrespected. I mean, we should respect ourselves and each other, absolutely, but not at the cost of disrespecting God.
I see firsthand examples of this everyday. Yesterday, while sitting at a stop light, the left turn lane light turned green. Cars began to go, but one driver was not paying attention and didn't realize the light had turned green. Normally when this happens, horns blare and the yelling begins. But yesterday, I realized it was quiet. The driver behind the stopped car didn't do anything. He patiently waited for the man to realize the light was green. When the man finally did, they both missed the light and had to wait longer. I couldn't believe it. The man didn't even appear frustrated or agitated.
Then, this morning, I watched a car get stuck behind a Metrobus. Usually, you see the look on people's faces when they get stuck behind one of those and it stops. People cut off other people trying to whiz around the bus and you see them impatiently checking their mirrors for a chance to merge. This car, however, waited for the passengers to board and even when traffic stopped coming in the passing lane did not merge over. I looked to see if he had broken down, or was waiting for someone. He wasn't. He was just patient.
The thing is, both of these men were Hispanic. I am in no way trying to make cultural stereotypes, but I honestly saw a connection. An American like me would have lost my cool within 10 seconds of either one of these situations. I feel like I almost lost it just WATCHING them. Our culture just feeds our appetite for ourselves and what we think we deserve.
I see this influence infiltrating my own life. In this good yet frustrating season of life called "engagement", I am constantly battling ideas of what I think I deserve. What should Drew give me? What should he do for me? What am I gaining from this relationship? Me, me, me. I know that Christian "I'm-so-selfish-and-a-sinner" pleas can get annoying and can actually stem from wrong motives and maybe mine does, but I still see it. Drew and I are trying to come to an understanding that neither of us deserve the other or what the other has to give. We need to cut each other some slack and stop acting like we deserve things. And it's so hard because that's what we are programmed to think.
The thing I find so fascinating about this too is our culture's obsession with love and being in love. It has absolutely influenced my thinking about love and relationships; I have definitely had to burst some of those fairytale ideals in favor of real love. "In love" for our culture is still about us. Who will give me this feeling of "in love"? Who will sustain me and support me? Who will stick by me? Some of it may be valid, but it's been twisted by clever hands.
1 Corinthians 13 comes to mind quite often these days. What love is. All of love's characteristics as described here go against what culture has taught me about love. It is patient, kind, not jealous, proud, rude or self-seeking; it does not get angry easily and doesn't hold grudges or keep a record of any wrongs. All these things go against me. They are real and they are hard. But they are things I desire to learn. If there is anything I have learned from a diamond ring, it is that. Love is being all those things to someone who does not deserve it, knowing that you don't deserve it even more.
Drew and I have been discussing what to put on the inside of our wedding bands. I think we have decided on "Love never fails". If you think about it, real love never does. Not the sappy movie kind, but the in-your-face, gritty, difficult kind of love. Jesus said to love one another. I think that encompasses being patient with the driver in front of you and giving your husband a backrub to dying for a stranger.
God, help me to see past the veil of my culture and find real love to find real life.
A couple of weeks ago, Mike talked about creating an idol out of ourselves, putting ourselves above everything else. This really is the core of our culture. Every issue, sin, wrongdoing can be tracked down to our wish for selfish gain.
In Donald Miller's book "Searching for God Knows What" he talks about how mad we get when we feel we are slighted. He uses the example of someone being cut off in traffic. We yell and curse and throw our hands (and fingers) up. Why? Because we feel that someone doesn't think we are important enough to respect. We think our time is more valuable than their time. Think about what kind of commotion can start over someone being disrespected. I mean, we should respect ourselves and each other, absolutely, but not at the cost of disrespecting God.
I see firsthand examples of this everyday. Yesterday, while sitting at a stop light, the left turn lane light turned green. Cars began to go, but one driver was not paying attention and didn't realize the light had turned green. Normally when this happens, horns blare and the yelling begins. But yesterday, I realized it was quiet. The driver behind the stopped car didn't do anything. He patiently waited for the man to realize the light was green. When the man finally did, they both missed the light and had to wait longer. I couldn't believe it. The man didn't even appear frustrated or agitated.
Then, this morning, I watched a car get stuck behind a Metrobus. Usually, you see the look on people's faces when they get stuck behind one of those and it stops. People cut off other people trying to whiz around the bus and you see them impatiently checking their mirrors for a chance to merge. This car, however, waited for the passengers to board and even when traffic stopped coming in the passing lane did not merge over. I looked to see if he had broken down, or was waiting for someone. He wasn't. He was just patient.
The thing is, both of these men were Hispanic. I am in no way trying to make cultural stereotypes, but I honestly saw a connection. An American like me would have lost my cool within 10 seconds of either one of these situations. I feel like I almost lost it just WATCHING them. Our culture just feeds our appetite for ourselves and what we think we deserve.
I see this influence infiltrating my own life. In this good yet frustrating season of life called "engagement", I am constantly battling ideas of what I think I deserve. What should Drew give me? What should he do for me? What am I gaining from this relationship? Me, me, me. I know that Christian "I'm-so-selfish-and-a-sinner" pleas can get annoying and can actually stem from wrong motives and maybe mine does, but I still see it. Drew and I are trying to come to an understanding that neither of us deserve the other or what the other has to give. We need to cut each other some slack and stop acting like we deserve things. And it's so hard because that's what we are programmed to think.
The thing I find so fascinating about this too is our culture's obsession with love and being in love. It has absolutely influenced my thinking about love and relationships; I have definitely had to burst some of those fairytale ideals in favor of real love. "In love" for our culture is still about us. Who will give me this feeling of "in love"? Who will sustain me and support me? Who will stick by me? Some of it may be valid, but it's been twisted by clever hands.
1 Corinthians 13 comes to mind quite often these days. What love is. All of love's characteristics as described here go against what culture has taught me about love. It is patient, kind, not jealous, proud, rude or self-seeking; it does not get angry easily and doesn't hold grudges or keep a record of any wrongs. All these things go against me. They are real and they are hard. But they are things I desire to learn. If there is anything I have learned from a diamond ring, it is that. Love is being all those things to someone who does not deserve it, knowing that you don't deserve it even more.
Drew and I have been discussing what to put on the inside of our wedding bands. I think we have decided on "Love never fails". If you think about it, real love never does. Not the sappy movie kind, but the in-your-face, gritty, difficult kind of love. Jesus said to love one another. I think that encompasses being patient with the driver in front of you and giving your husband a backrub to dying for a stranger.
God, help me to see past the veil of my culture and find real love to find real life.
Tuesday, June 19
Oh, work.
The top ten things I have learned at my job thus far...
10. Don't let them know you are nervous.
9. I am an expert at manuevering through electronic phone systems and in case of emergency, 0 is the magic number.
8. A friendly receptionist goes a long way.
7. Dancing in my chair to the music while I'm on hold might be one of my new favorite activities.
6. My fake phone voice is pretty good.
5. Highlighters really can be the highlight of your day!
4. Looking forward to lunchtime gets me through the morning (this might be sad).
3. People are more friendly in the afternoon.
2. I should not have more than one cup of coffee in the morning.
1. Even if your task is menial and sometimes frustrating, it feels so good to work for a cause.
10. Don't let them know you are nervous.
9. I am an expert at manuevering through electronic phone systems and in case of emergency, 0 is the magic number.
8. A friendly receptionist goes a long way.
7. Dancing in my chair to the music while I'm on hold might be one of my new favorite activities.
6. My fake phone voice is pretty good.
5. Highlighters really can be the highlight of your day!
4. Looking forward to lunchtime gets me through the morning (this might be sad).
3. People are more friendly in the afternoon.
2. I should not have more than one cup of coffee in the morning.
1. Even if your task is menial and sometimes frustrating, it feels so good to work for a cause.
Tuesday, June 5
Registry ranting
Who knew newlyweds needed so much new stuff?! Drew and I finally finished registering tonight at Bed, Bath and Beyond. I think overall, we spent at least 5 hours registering, not including the time we spent editing our registry online. Whew!
I guess I sound like a spoiled brat. "It's just so tiring to register for all these wonderful things!" But honestly, Drew and I really went into this whole registering thing with the words "simple" on our lips. We are simple people! We don't need a whole lot! We told each other in the car before we got in the store, "We're only going to register for things we really need. What we don't want to do is end up with a bunch of crap we don't really need." Famous last words.
We walk in the store, thinking it was going to be a simple process, you know being simple people and all. We had to sit down with a registry consultant (oh yes, a consultant) and fill out a lot of info. They made us look through this huge book of fine china. C'mon, this is laugh worthy. Drew and me looking through a book of fine china. You should have seen us. We took the book to be polite and looked at each other like, "Whaaa?" Literally.
Our registry consultant also talked through "registry etiquette" with us. Etiquette? US? No, no ma'am you must not understand. Apparently, the rule is you are supposed to register for twice as many items as you have guests coming to your wedding. Drew and I actually busted out laughing. I think we kind of scared the girl. "We have to register for 600 items?!" She said yes and we moved on.
When we FINALLY got the gun, we booked it out of there and started scanning away. We threw simple out the window. I mean, we HAD to register for 600 items or be rude, right? Two hours later, we had scanned about 10 pages worth of stuff, including a cappucino machine (complete with latte making tools), panini maker (why not?), and every kitchen tool known to man; we still had not put a dent in our 600 item goal. We left the store, too pooped to continue on to bedroom and bathroom items. I slept dang good that night.
Tonight's endeavors were not as draining. Registering for fluffy things helps I think. :)
It's really hard to believe that the wedding is in 2 months. My to-do list is ever growing!
Well, I guess I had better go to bed. I'll probably be dreaming of spatulas and bathrugs :)
I guess I sound like a spoiled brat. "It's just so tiring to register for all these wonderful things!" But honestly, Drew and I really went into this whole registering thing with the words "simple" on our lips. We are simple people! We don't need a whole lot! We told each other in the car before we got in the store, "We're only going to register for things we really need. What we don't want to do is end up with a bunch of crap we don't really need." Famous last words.
We walk in the store, thinking it was going to be a simple process, you know being simple people and all. We had to sit down with a registry consultant (oh yes, a consultant) and fill out a lot of info. They made us look through this huge book of fine china. C'mon, this is laugh worthy. Drew and me looking through a book of fine china. You should have seen us. We took the book to be polite and looked at each other like, "Whaaa?" Literally.
Our registry consultant also talked through "registry etiquette" with us. Etiquette? US? No, no ma'am you must not understand. Apparently, the rule is you are supposed to register for twice as many items as you have guests coming to your wedding. Drew and I actually busted out laughing. I think we kind of scared the girl. "We have to register for 600 items?!" She said yes and we moved on.
When we FINALLY got the gun, we booked it out of there and started scanning away. We threw simple out the window. I mean, we HAD to register for 600 items or be rude, right? Two hours later, we had scanned about 10 pages worth of stuff, including a cappucino machine (complete with latte making tools), panini maker (why not?), and every kitchen tool known to man; we still had not put a dent in our 600 item goal. We left the store, too pooped to continue on to bedroom and bathroom items. I slept dang good that night.
Tonight's endeavors were not as draining. Registering for fluffy things helps I think. :)
It's really hard to believe that the wedding is in 2 months. My to-do list is ever growing!
Well, I guess I had better go to bed. I'll probably be dreaming of spatulas and bathrugs :)
Friday, May 25
Home sweet home
Today might be one of the best days ever; I might be experiencing some of the sweetest moments ever! Let me explain my current circumstances and you will agree :o)
Yesterday, I graduated college. I feel pretty proud of that bachelor's degree! It went by so fast. I feel so blessed (really, I do) to have my Salisbury experiences ingrained in my memory. As cheesy as it sounds, when I walked across that stage yesterday, I knew people were excited for me. That's a good feeling, to be loved. Even though it was a tiring day, I am still feeling the excitement this afternoon.
Last night, I got to just chill out with my parents at home and FINALLY got to spend a little quality time with Drew. Our relationship has consisted of very brief phone calls for the past few weeks, so it was so good to sit down and just BE together.
I woke up this morning with nothing to do and just laid in bed for an hour, enjoying the sweetness of it all. My dad came home from work early and we had lunch on the back porch: homemade soup, bread and butter, cheese and fudgesicles :o) Since the weather is just beautiful (adding to my perfect day), we just sat on the porch and hung out. It's so good to spend time with my father. He is so dang wise and I always feel benefitted after a conversation with him.
Currently, I am still sitting out on the back porch with my first issue of Send! magazine (GFA's News Magazine), which just came yesterday, again adding to my wonderful day. The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, Bethany's playing and Bear's sitting right at my feet. This is just great.
Not only is the past causing today to be wonderful, but I've got so much to look forward to this weekend! Tonight, Drew and I are going to register, which should be interesting :o), and we're going to go out to dinner - mmm - and just soak up each other's company. Tomorrow morning we are sending out wedding invitations (!), then hitting up some graduation parties, including Emily's where I will see friends! Sunday morning, I'm visiting Grace and playing with the LC Band, then having lunch with my family. Monday, Drew and I have been invited to hang out at the Strickland farm all day with our friends, which includes a heated, salt water pool, jacuzzi and Jason Brown's famous barbeque.
My life is just too good.
To top it all off, I've got a really good prospective job in the works and it's perfect. Also, some of us are meeting this week to begin praying about young adult ministry at our church - I am incredibly excited about it. I'm beginning to fit. This summer is the beginning of the rest of my life, for real.
It's time like these when I really remember and see that God is in control of my life and always has been. Anxieties seem to melt away.
Well, Mom just got home with groceries and I should probably help her out :o) I hope your day is also good and that you are able to see God in it.
Until next time :o)
Yesterday, I graduated college. I feel pretty proud of that bachelor's degree! It went by so fast. I feel so blessed (really, I do) to have my Salisbury experiences ingrained in my memory. As cheesy as it sounds, when I walked across that stage yesterday, I knew people were excited for me. That's a good feeling, to be loved. Even though it was a tiring day, I am still feeling the excitement this afternoon.
Last night, I got to just chill out with my parents at home and FINALLY got to spend a little quality time with Drew. Our relationship has consisted of very brief phone calls for the past few weeks, so it was so good to sit down and just BE together.
I woke up this morning with nothing to do and just laid in bed for an hour, enjoying the sweetness of it all. My dad came home from work early and we had lunch on the back porch: homemade soup, bread and butter, cheese and fudgesicles :o) Since the weather is just beautiful (adding to my perfect day), we just sat on the porch and hung out. It's so good to spend time with my father. He is so dang wise and I always feel benefitted after a conversation with him.
Currently, I am still sitting out on the back porch with my first issue of Send! magazine (GFA's News Magazine), which just came yesterday, again adding to my wonderful day. The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, Bethany's playing and Bear's sitting right at my feet. This is just great.
Not only is the past causing today to be wonderful, but I've got so much to look forward to this weekend! Tonight, Drew and I are going to register, which should be interesting :o), and we're going to go out to dinner - mmm - and just soak up each other's company. Tomorrow morning we are sending out wedding invitations (!), then hitting up some graduation parties, including Emily's where I will see friends! Sunday morning, I'm visiting Grace and playing with the LC Band, then having lunch with my family. Monday, Drew and I have been invited to hang out at the Strickland farm all day with our friends, which includes a heated, salt water pool, jacuzzi and Jason Brown's famous barbeque.
My life is just too good.
To top it all off, I've got a really good prospective job in the works and it's perfect. Also, some of us are meeting this week to begin praying about young adult ministry at our church - I am incredibly excited about it. I'm beginning to fit. This summer is the beginning of the rest of my life, for real.
It's time like these when I really remember and see that God is in control of my life and always has been. Anxieties seem to melt away.
Well, Mom just got home with groceries and I should probably help her out :o) I hope your day is also good and that you are able to see God in it.
Until next time :o)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
