Reality

It's late September and beginning to feel like my favorite season: Fall! I love the colors, pumpkins, spiced cider, cool nights by the fire pit, hoodies, corn mazes and the trees preparing for winter. 

My 28th birthday is on Sunday, and for the first time in years, I haven't really thought about it. It is crazy to think I graduated college six years ago and moved back to Kansas City. My life is very different! We're having breakfast with my sweet Dad and Kathy tomorrow at Briarcliff Cafe. As I've grown since school, I really love and value my folks. They have done a lot for me and my heart is full of gratitude for those things.

Alan and I have been married over a year and are expecting our first baby in April. It's a very exciting and physically exhausting time. With twelve weeks of pregnancy under my belt, I will say, it hasn't been a breeze but I'm thankful my body and God are taking care of that tiny person. I couldn't do it without them. ;) I could barely eat crackers at first and today I feel energetic and enthusiastic about the future with him/her. My mom has been pretty excited and calls me more frequently as a result. It's sweet to hear her stories about having me and pregnancy while her and my dad were still together. I never really heard much about that time, so it's nice.

I am thankful to have such sweet (recent) "mommy" inspirations in my life. Julie, just around the corner, showed me pregnancy was an amazing process created by God and Elise demonstrated how to lean on Christ during the rougher parts. They both are encouraging to watch grow and I only hope to be a blessing to them in return. 

Our small church has shrunk and grown over the years, but one thing that has not changed is the core of people who absolutely love Jesus and want nothing but to live for Him. Our love for one another grows as we grow and it's been a good couple of months. A new friend, Patrick, has become part of our little "family". He's an intelligent and kind guy, it's been fun getting to know him and his quirks. My heart longs to see those who went a different way return, but right now, I have to trust God with them and remember to pray...

With only one car, I am headed out to pick up Alan from work. He bikes most days, but I offered to pick him up today since he has plans at 7. Here comes the weekend and 28! 

Love in Christ,
K