Gratitude.

Hello long lost blog world. :)

Usually when I have not blogged for a while several things happen [1] I keep telling myself I should blog [2] I write a long post, filled with pictures in an effort to catch up and [3] I go through a period of life where I notice I am less grateful for what is happening in it every day and how God is working. End result [4] sometimes, I get cranky because I have procrastinated, I don't know where to blog to even start to 'catch up' and have forgotten things I wanted to remember and reflect on. AGH.

So today, no 'catch up' post. Know that since I last blogged I have been blessed to be alive each and every day in between then and now, and sit here humbled and thankful for that realization. 

What I want to share though, is a deep deep amount of gratitude. In this past week I have ben blessed to share life with so many dear friends, family and even my fiancé. They have all blessed me beyond what they know. This past weekend involved: 

• The company of 7 out of town guests in my 1 room apartment [ultimate girls sleepover]
• Shopping with my Mom
• The Color Run in downtown St. Louis [in the rain]
• Trying on my wedding dress for the first time [talk about overwhelming!]
• Seeing my girl's bridesmaid dresses, which just came in [awesome]
• A wonderful and thoughtfully planned Bridal Shower
• A surprise visit from Adam [WOW]
• Worshipping with everyone in from out of town
• Brewery visits
• Lots of trips back forth to the airport
• Getting ear piercings with some of my bridesmaids [spontaneous]
• Amazing weather
• A trip to the zoo [I got to pet 3 sharks, so that was sweet]
• Running and biking in the park with Adam [The best!]
• Surprise dinner night with Adam [homemade by him too]
• Wedding planning time [DJ & limo booked, invitations designed]
• So so many meals shared with dear friends
• Many many tears shed [Both tears of joy and sad tears as the goodbyes began]

Most of the first half of that list, happened on Saturday alone, whew! But each and every second of the memories on that list, are filled with moments of life shared that are irreplaceable and to an extent can not be fully described here. As I reflect on them now, I am filled with deep gratitude for friends and family who are examples to me of God's great love.

I challenge anyone reading this to cherish each part of their days - good, bad, awesome, terrible or otherwise, and rest in a place of gratitude for all that you do have.

All of the love.

As promised yesterday, lots of picture updates on what I was up to the end of last month + so far this month! Lots of pictures of course, so enjoy sharing life with me :)

Since today is Valentine's Day, I also couldn't help but share this adorable video!

Love,

Kyla

Picture + Update Time

 End of January = Youth trips like crazy! Took high schoolers on a Ski Trip up to Wisconsin - SO COLD - see picture below. Also got to take 8th Graders on a retreat to talk about our sexuality, great kids, AWESOME weekend!

Sr. Youth Ski Trip

After the 8th Grade Retreat, I drove straight up to Chicago for our Mid-Year Intern Gathering! This meant getting to see Adam again (3 times in one month was just amazing.). Bummer is that he came down with the flu the first day were there...He has since recovered, but it was a rough end of January for him!

Our date to Urgent Care

After Mid-Year was over, there was some down time, Adam was feeling a little better, so we spent time with one of our close friends - Ryan, who is also an intern. My last Thursday of January started with the two of them making me breakfast and only went up from there! Went on a Brewery tour and a Distillery tour. Fun stuff!

Brewery Tour

Distillery Tour

Very end of January into the beginning of February

WEDDING ADVENTURES!!!!!!! 

*If you're a guy reading this, I won't be offended if you skip reading this part

While up in Chicago, I worked to make the most of being back in a city I love + where almost all of our wedding vendors are located. Visited our caterer, interviewed a handful of DJs, stopped by our reception site to go over a few decorating details in person, went to the hotel for our guests to talk through details again in person not over the phone which was so nice, finalized our ceremony location, and met with a florist. (I also got to spend quality time at 2 favorite coffee places - Caribou & Blue Max!). WHEW. Spent Wednesday afternoon/evening, all of Friday, and Saturday morning on Wedding related everything, I LOVED IT. 

Seriously. Being a bride is so much fun and planning big party for all our family & friends to celebrate Adam & I getting married is just exciting beyond words. :)

I. love. wedding. planning.

Back to the real world.

After being gone and out of town for most of January, it is nice to settle back into some normal routine and not have to live out of a suitcase for a while! January did bring about the death of my last fish AND a plant I got last fall, so that was a little rough...but life goes on!

February living.

February St. Louis Adventures...so far

Found a fun Mexican place downtown that serves delicious Margaritas! Had a lovely girl's night last week that was MUCH needed - it seemed like I hadn't seen any St. Louis friends in forever!

Most recently, last weekend Kevin, Jordan, and I spent the better part of Saturday at St. Louis Mardi Gras. We did lots of walking, watched some of the parade, and even managed to run into some of our other friends who were downtown too! Fun day! I am thankful that I have great friends to explore with :)

Newest life event coming up - another Half Marathon!

I signed up for this race at the end of last year, but with everything going since Christmas, it has kinda been on the back of my radar. But needless to say, I am REALLY excited to run another Half Marathon. I had such a great time running my first one in October. This time, Kevin is going to run too, so I am excited to get to run with him for his first half!!! April 7th is the official race date, so if you are around St. Louis that day, I appreciate fans :)

Encouragement.

Hello February! WHAT?!

I am not quite sure how we are already 44 days in this year, but here we are. January was a busy month of traveling for me, which brought many blessings and opportunities for ministry (High School Ski Retreat & 8th Grade Retreat) and to see people I love (NADCE + Mid-year meetings for DCE Interns back at college). Because of being out of town so much though, I feel like February is coming out of no where and its kinda knocking me back a bit.

I don't know if any of you ever feel stressed or discouraged, but I would be willing to bet that I cannot alone in these feelings. Partly I know that for me, the extra stress I have been feeling as of late has to do with being out of routine - physically and spiritually. Yay for being human. One day out of routine and it just becomes that much harder to jump back into it. Thankfully, I have a forgiving fiancé when I am way too cranky at the end of day and dear friends who challenge me to not settle for stress when God's word is at my fingertips.

So today, I am thankful. Simply put its great encouragement to me all the various ways God finds to show me His love daily. This does not mean all stress in my life right now has just vanished or anything, but it does mean that I can be thankful I do not face any day alone. 

I hope that if any of you reading this are experiencing stress or discouragement or whatever really, that you can be in some way encouraged today. Jump into God's word, spend time talking to a good friend over coffee, take a walk outside, breath deeply and be thankful for another day...you get the idea - know you are not alone in how you feel :)

Love,
Kyla

Coming tomorrow: A Valentine, a wedding planning update & some pictures from end of January & beginning of February adventures!

Lots of life.

Yikes, it was brought to my attention recently that it has been a loooooonnnnnnnggggg time since I have blogged, and quite honestly I miss it! Hopefully everyone doesn't mind a post with lots of fun pictures of life that has been happening. Here we go...

Fall Semester - a few exciting and favorite highlights:

Homecoming, we lucked out and had awesome weather, check out the blue sky behind us!

Then the Rodriguez's & the Snyder's came and spent a few days in Chicago before John & Allison left for Japan! 

(This is all of us at Harry Caray's before our bike tour of downtown Chicago)

Thanksgiving! Got to see my family and godparents and run a race with a turkey on T-day. After Thanksgiving we even got in a trip to the Creation Museum. 

Christmas!

Some highlights: Adam visiting & seeing the National Tree in DC, happening across the craziest Christmas cheer street in Baltimore, and playing lots of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with the little boys.

Spring Semester, not finished, but here are some fun things that have happened so far:

     I hosted a bridal shower for Jordan & Kevin here in Chicago. (I had awesome helpers!)

Spring Break: Adam & I enjoyed time down south (and enjoyed tons of awesome food!)

And then most recently, last but not least, St. Patrick's Day downtown!

 Whewww. I tried to write little, since who wants to read when you can look at pictures anyways?!
More life soon + a healthy lifestyle thoughts update.


Love you all!