Summer Love

We all know that I love my job as a social worker. I gratefully get to do what I love 10 months of the year by serving the youth and families in our county but I ALSO get to do some other things I love to do the other 2 months of the year...relax and enjoy the sun! Having a summer break is such a blessing! I get time to hang out with my friends (most of which are teachers and are on my same schedule)and do things in Boone that we love, I get to go to Wilmington, and have a great vacation with my husband!

My favorite part of course is spending that quality time with Nic. He works so hard during the year (well we both do) and we both are blessed that in this season we have some free time at the same time! In July he has some time off and this year he had a two week period where he could escape from work. Normally we travel in doses but this year we really felt the blessing of our vacation and decided to take the whole two weeks.

Don't get me wrong it has been an AWESOME year for us this year but it has been a year of hard work. Work for both of us has challenged us more this year than usual, we are still pushing and growing our Mentor Program, we bought a house (which sounds exciting but the process is a lot of time effort worry and work,and we searched for a new church. Like I said...all things have been good this year but they have taken a lot of our attention and strength and I would have to say that we were very ready for our vacation :)

We went down to Wilmington for a week and enjoyed the beach, family, and friends. We love spending time here (if only UNCW had a football team... ;)) We were there for the fourth of July so it was crowded but we are smart enough to know when and how to beat the crowds. We had a blast!

After our time at the beach we left Piper at my parents house and we headed to Charleston to go on a cruise! We decided to take a cruise to celebrate our anniversary and treat ourselves with something exciting and new. It was awesome! We learned that cruises are not the most relaxing vacations because there is always so much going on to watch or participate in but it was entertaining none the less. And you can not beat that big blue ocean. I enjoyed going to the islands, we went to Nassau and Freeport, but I could sail on that sea forever.

We went actually on our cruise for our anniversary because Nic had to work that day so we just went out to a dinner and a movie in Boone that day. I must say I can not believe it has been 2 years since our wedding. Time truly flies. But I also must say that I am so proud of my man and the couple that we have grown into and continue to grow into. Life with Nic is wonderful. I am so blessed to live and share life with a man of so much passion and wisdom. Everyday I get to experience God's joy through him and that is honestly the truth. I loved him we started dating (yes I knew I loved him before he was my actual boyfriend :)), I loved him even more when we got married, but even to think of how my love has grown and changed since then is amazing! I love him more today than ever. I am so blessed by the strength he provides and the way we so gracefully walk through life together. We still have challenges but when they are placed in the light of our relationship they always seem a little less scary.

I love my man and I am so thankful for our refreshing summer and so excited for all that is still left in the year 2013. It already feels so full :)

With Love...

Home Sweet Home

Well it has been a month since Nic and I bought our first house!! It has been such a blessing to create a home together that we know is OURS! Not to mention it is very surreal at the same time.

We had been living in a tiny little apartment for almost two years and last summer we decided that we probably needed to explore what it would take financially to live somewhere bigger. Well renting in Boone is a nightmare because everything is SO expensive and buying a house was definitely the better option. After looking at houses from June to April, putting down 3 offers on other houses that sellers wouldn't budge on, we FINALLY found our home!

Buying a house was scary for sure, especially since we have no idea how long we will actually be in Boone. Due to the fact we are so unsure of our future here we decided that this could and would be where we make an investment. We knew we needed to find a house where we could call home but also that we could have as a rental investment later if needed.

When it came closing day I was simply happiest to know that the loan process was over...they truly do have you jump through hoop after hoop. The whole process was a roller coaster for us and we were so glad that it was over. And then I just prayed that the moving in process would be free from any conflicts. And let’s be honest ya'll guys have a hard time when they know that there is a huge task ahead of them and it doesn't always make for the most pleasant experience when they get stressed out because so much has to be done. And this was a worry in the back of my mind the entire time (When is Nic going to blow?!) But God bless my sweet husband he never did!! We moved in, we enjoyed every moment of it, we worked hard, and we worked together!

My mom and my Mamaw came up for a week to help us paint when we first moved in and we got a ton done. And they have not been the only ones who have blessed our home. We have been showered with hanging plants, gift cards, house warming gift, etc. All of which we did not ask for but greatly received. We have felt so celebrated and loved during this time. It is so sweet when you feel like this is just something personal to celebrate and so many others find joy in celebrating it with you as well. We no doubt have the most amazing people in our lives.

Our house is finally coming together and our to do list is getting smaller and smaller. Thanks to everyone who has helped us, it has truly been a blessing. Here are a few pictures 

THE LIVING ROOM

GUEST BEDROOM

OUR BEDROOM

Love ya’ll!

How Can I Trust The Future?!?

Good Morning Friends,

It is yet ANOTHER snowy day in Boone. I am at home for my second snow day in a row. Yesterday was full of cleaning, lounging around, catching up on shows, and cuddling with my sweet Piper. Today I woke up with the spirit of focus, put on my praise and worship, and have just been having a good time working on my mentor program, listening to the Lord, and spending time tilling through my heart.

I think sometimes we go through life and knowing the facts keeps us alive. The facts of what the Lord has said to us in the past. I know for myself when I hear the Lord speak to me or I recognize a desire in my heart I hold onto it like a jug of water in the desert. It keeps me alive as I walk through life knowing God's plan for me and knowing my purpose. But nothing is as refreshing as allowing God to speak a current word to you. He doesn't just give you guidance once but he is constantly leading through life. And all though I can stay alive on past revelations and desires...it is the present ones that make you grow. It is knowing that this isn't what God has said to me but this is what God is SAYING to me. It's a current reassurance that gives you strength to take what the Lord has said to you and shine from it. Impacting your personal life, your relationships, and your calling on everyone around you.

Nic and I are in a season where we are making a ton of decisions for our future and it can definitely be scary. I can hear what the Lord has said to us in the past but it is what the Lord says to me in the present that prepares me for the future. The future is hard to trust because you never know what this life will bring you...will it go as planned, will everything we thought our lives would look like be shaken, are their challenges ahead and am I strong enough to handle them? I don’t feel weak by thinking these things because in my weakness I know the Lord is strong. I have been asking myself lately, how I can trust the future? And the truth is...I can't. But I can trust the Lord and that’s when my fear shifts to excitement.

Fearlessness. I never thought I would have a life saying but since 2008 this has been God's constant way of bringing me back to my confidence in him. I trust the Lord fully and sometimes you lose sight of his greatness when you are holding by your past experiences. The Lord's presence is readily available to us at all times. Knowing that he is with you today and feeling his direction in the present leads you to your future. A future you can trust because you know the Lord is good and you know even if things don’t go as planned, God's plan is perfect.

I am thankful for this revelation today because I needed it. I am so excited for entering new seasons with my husband and I feel so empowered by the Lord to hear his current thoughts over my life. Spend time with the Lord and spend time with your heart. Inside it are the treasures for your life and the Lord will give you the strength and directions to carry them out with confidence.

My prayer today is that you too are empowered in your purpose, dreams, and life decisions :)

Much Love <3

The Life of a Coaches Wife

I am always so hesitant to put in writing my views on being a coaches wife. I just feel as if it is a world that I have just begun to understand and take grasp of. I have so much to still learn about this profession and the role of supporting it but here are a few of my thoughts and experiences so far.

I am coming off of a short little season where I have been doing a lot of activities in the world of football. First off, I survived our first job shake up when we experienced a head coaching change at the end of this season, we went to the National Football Coaches of America Convention where I got to meet wives from all over the nation and we have been hosting our amazing recruits the past 3 weekends here in Boone where I mingle with families and future players and begin what will hopefully be real relationships.

Nothing is secure in this profession which I think is the hardest part for any wife and on top of that our husbands are extremely busy. But this year I got to feel that insecurity when the day after our season ended we also found out that our head coach would no longer be at Appalachian. In many professions...no big deal if the boss gets fired, your job is still your job, well....not in coaching. When the head man is let go most likely so are the rest of the coaches.This will not be the last time this happens to Nic and I but for the first time I feel like we handled it really well. Here are a few things that I think help me through such a time of uncertainty...

1. My trust is in the Lord. If we have to move I believe it is at God's will and that there is something extraordinary on the other side.

2. I trust my husband. He will always be the best coach he can be because it is in his nature. I trust that he is doing exactly what God has called him to do and I find no resentment in encouraging him to pursue his dreams.

3. You can't worry about something that has yet to happen. There is no need to worry about not having a place to coach or having to transition. The WHAT IF's in this profession are endless. I refuse to play the guessing game and I just take our challenges as they come. At that point it is to late to worry...only faith will lead you through it.

4. I am not in denial. I accept the ways of this profession. We will move. He will one day be fired. It is possible to be in a place I am not a huge fan of. He will be busy.

5. I am not only not in denial of the negatives but I focus on the positives. My husband is awesome, loving, passionate, and the greatest man I have ever known. He will be an amazing father. He will always take advantage of the time we have together. I am made to support someone like this and I find joy in it. God has blessed us. I am so excited for the adventure.

I have come across some bitter wives already in my experience as a coaches wife. I vowed when I married Nic to encourage him in his calling. I will do that till the day I die. And I trust him and I trust the Lord that he will always put family first. And as long as these things are in place I do not think I have anything to worry about. Everyone says I will change my mind when I have kids. I'll deal with that when it comes. But as a kid-free young coaches wife this is my time to lay the foundation for my time as a coaches wife. I believe in being a coaches wife I will have access to be apart of countless lives and play an encouraging role not only for my husband but these players and their families. This is Nic's ministry and as it is his, it is also mine.

So all in all my view is...being a coaches wife is a blessing. There are many other parts of who I am, but I still take the role with gratitude.

Just another piece of what I call my Journey :)

With Much Love,

Hello 2013 :)

In my opinion New Years Resolutions are simply for new beginnings. I see them as kick starts to things you have wanted to do or been meaning to do for a while. To me ambitions, goals, dreams, visions are forever going. There are tons of things I want to see happen in 2013. I want to see Nic and I's mentor program become active and begin reaching the lives of our communities youth, I want to own a home, I want to think more seriously about adding a little one to our family, and I want to continue to make a difference in my job and advance my social work practice. These are all goals, ambitions, and visions coming to pass, they are not technically (in my opinion)...RESOLUTIONS.

Here is a resolution....to BLOG more often :)

I really enjoy blogging and I enjoy being able to talk about what is going on in my heart and my life. I have recently read back over my blogs and realized that it was silly that I let the hobby go. In 2013 I hope to blog more :)

When I look back over 2012 I really see it as a planning and preparation season. 2011 led up to my marriage, my entry into the working world, and a shifting in where my passions exercise. In 2012 I feel like I was able to build foundations in all the things 2011 brought me and was truly able to establish myself in all the newness. This year I feel like will be a year of new adventures and exciting outcomes from last year.

It is hard to blog in a preparation and planning year. There is not a lot going on and the things that are stirring in your heart still need time before they are put out in the open. I think this is why I have taken a little time off.

2012 was a fun year though I can tell you that. Nic and I did so many creative things, continued living our lives and working our amazing jobs, we have made decisions for our lives that we know will move us forward, and we have had great vacations, holidays, football seasons, celebrations, made new friends, and continued to grow deeper with the old.

I was in 4 weddings this year. I watched my brother get married, my sister-in-law get married, 2 of my best friends, and then I also got to attend my cousins wedding. So many new family members and so many great parties :)

Nic also won the Southern Conference Championship in football. We launched a community program and I have also set more ambitions to my career as a social worker.

I can't wait to continue to tell you about what this year will bring…the ups and the downs and of course the funny moments. I hope to also share with you all that I learn and am inspired by along the way. My blog is called The Journey of Fearlessness which I believe is still the vision for my walk through life. To live fearlessly in fear of my God. Knowing his plans are best for me and to trust him in all that he shows me and tells me. I had to overcome a lot of fear in 2012....and I hope to share with you more of that story now that it's past.

I hope you all have a neat resolution and something to use the new year to help you kick start. But I hope your dreams and visions are growing everyday...no matter what year it is :)

With much love... Kira Cardwell