Lake Michigan

This weekend three of my best friends and I got together at Lake Michigan. I had been looking forward to this weekend for a long time. My heart needed to see them. I wish I could explain the bond between all of us, but I can't. These girls are closer than sisters to me. I hadn't seen KAtie in a year since she is living in Thailand, but she was home for a month and made the trip. As much as I was looking forward to the time together, my heart is always hesitant at first. I love the time spent together so much, but know that it will end. Distance among loved ones is painful.
You know what I love about my friends.....it's that they are intentional. When we are together we get to the heart of matters. We help each other dig deep into where we are in life. That's been the hardest transition out of college these past two years....finding friends who are intentional about reaching out to each other and loving/serving Jesus together.
What this weekend really did for me though, was give me a glimpse of heaven on earth. All day Sat. and Sun. we sat on a gorgeous beach with gorgeous weather and just talked and laughed. For those hours together reminded me of what heaven will be like. I know leaving them will be hard and I'll head back to a "normal" life of same ole same ole, but for those two days I was given a renewed sense of hope. Hope that one day I will spend the rest of my life with the best friends in the world in a back drop that is breathe taking.

Gary's Wedding

So the anticipation all year long is over now.....my how quickly we plan for a day only to have it come and go so quick. I will say though that Gary's wedding day was spectacular. It was gorgeous in every way. The weather was a little cool for July and it was a little overcast, but it never rained. Weddings are always fun, but when it's for your twin brother and you know all the people at the wedding, it makes it extra exciting. My favorite part of the wedding was standing up with the bridesmaids and since Gary was looking towards the girls I could see his face the entire time. There were a few times where he looked over at me during the service and without saying anything that twin bond was there and we knew how the other felt and the love that was there.

Maybe it's a twin thing or maybe it's the fact that he is my only brother....but I knew that this wedding was going to take a lot out of me. I am totally a quality time person. I love spending one on one time with people and making memories with people. Prior to this wedding my heart had become so jealous. It became jealous at the fact that someone else besides me would now have more quality time with my brother. It seems like I rarely see him and having him get married and become a part of someone else's family only made me jealous....and maybe even a little bitter at times. I had to pray so hard that the Lord would change this jealous heart to gladness. My brother will always only have one twin sister....I am not being replaced. The Lord had to remind through this wedding that He does not take away.......He only gives......and so the best part of this wedding was that the Lord gave me a new friend and sister-in-law in Julie. Welcome to the family Julie. :)

Unique

Today something really funny happened. If you know me, you know that when I sing a song in the car I always sing the next lyrics before the singer does. Half the time I don't even realize it. Well today, I was driving my babysitting kids in the car and the little girl says "Ang, why do you sing the lyrics before the singer does....cause usually you get the lyrics wrong...maybe you should just sing along." LOL! It was so funny! It's something that makes me so unique. I guess you will just have to go on a road trip with me to experience it yourself if you haven't already! :)

Chicago

My mom, Jack, and I all took a day trip up to Chicago. We started our morning out at the Swedish Bakery where we bought way too many delicious coffee cakes. Then we went to the Cubs/Brewers game. This was my first time actually going to a game. I was SO excited. We had great seats right in front of 3rd base. The weather was perfect! All the guys were warming up right in front of us, so I got some great pictures. Unfortunately, my camera's memory card has issues and so a lot of my pictures I can't get off of the card. :( The CUBS won in the bottom of the 10th inning with the bases loaded and the other pitcher walked the batter.

After the game, we rode bikes on Lake Shore (my favorite place ever!) and rode to the Cheesecake Factory. I couldn't decided what to get so I ordered not just one piece, but two! AHH! Then after that we went to the Hershey's store. After the Hershey's store we rode to Navy Pier and watched all the fireworks downtown. Let me just say, having a bike is the easiest way to get around in Chicago. It was such a great day! It pretty much had my name written all over it.