The Journey

Find Me on Facebook

2009-03-23T15:51:00.005-05:00

I just realized it's been almost a year since I last updated my blog. That led me to ask the question...why? Has blogging gone out of date? Am I short on time to write? Has my life become a boring monotony? Yet the answer to all of these questions seemed to be no. So why have I not blogged (or even thought of my blog) in over a year!?

Then it fit me. Of course. Facebook. Who needs to blog these days when a simple status update will do? Really, Facebook is just plain much more efficient than blogging - yes, less personable, perhaps, but definitely more convenient.

So, I'm resigning myself to the world of status updates for now. Perhaps I'll get the urge to blog in the near future. But chances are, if I do, you'll hear about...probably on Facebook.

Holland in a Day

2008-05-06T18:54:00.010-05:00

I love spring! I mean spring anywhere is great! But we just discovered something especially nice about spring in Michigan: Holland. That's right. Here in Michigan you can visit Holland without ever stepping foot on a plane. And what is so great about spring in Holland? Tulips, of course! So we thought we'd share a little taste of Holland with you. Enjoy!

Grand Rapids, MI

2008-04-27T17:18:00.004-05:00

As I post, I'm sitting in our new home in Grand Rapids, MI. Wow, have things changed since early March, when I last posted. We officially left Collegedale, TN on March 31. I can't say the parting was easy - I've really grown to love Chattanooga, the people, and especially having my family so near by. But somehow, like Isaac and Sarah, Luke and I have felt compelled to leave behind what we know and love, and act in faith. Faith that somehow God knows better than I do.

We must have made quite the caravan - Luke in his 26' Uhaul truck (all they had to give us), pulling a trailer with his car on it, and me bringing up the rear. We made it to Grand Rapids 11 hours later, with only a car bumper and the corner of a gas pump as fatalities. There the out-going associate pastor Willie Iwankiw, his wife Jody, and their friend Adrian met us to help unload the truck. We couldn't have done it without them! Finally my 1:00am we were unloaded and left in our new home.

I can't say the transition since then has been easy. I'm not used to living in the city. So the noise, travel, and lack of a yard have been an adjustment for me. But we're slowly getting used to it. And we have a lot to be thankful for. We have a cute little house, we're getting to know the city better, and the church family is really warm and loving. We already feel like we have friends here! Meanwhile, Luke is really enjoying his job as a pastor. It has its challenges, but overall, the experience of working with people on such a deep level and being able to really think out and understand different issues relevant to Adventism and evangelism has really been a blessing to him. That's what makes are time here the most meaningful for me!

I've applied for a few jobs as a nurse, but am still waiting for offers from both hospitals I applied at. In the meantime, I've been getting things in the house settled, setting up a budget, and catching up on everything that the wedding, honeymoon, and move got us behind on. We've also had the opportunity over the last few weeks to see some good friends (like Dan McGrath and Jamie Kiley), attend the wedding of my friends Annie Buell and Jesse Spangler in Oregon, and be a part of the West Michigan Youth Rally. So we certainly haven't been bored.

So, I guess we just want to say thank-you to everyone who has helped us in this move, prayed for us, visited us, or thought about us. We miss everyone at home, but are excited to see what God is going to do with and through us in Grand Rapids, MI.

Honeymoon

2008-04-22T11:33:00.004-05:00

We've finally posted pictures of our honeymoon online. To see them, you can either visit Ringo (if you have an account with them), or check out our wedding blog www.lukeandaudrey.com and click on the "Photos and Video" link. Hope you enjoy them! We'll have a Michigan update soon!

Wedding Slide Show

2008-02-28T16:15:00.007-05:00

Our photographer (Melody Hood of Innamorata Photography) just finished a slideshow of our wedding pictures. There are about 170 pictures in the slideshow, which at least give a small preview of the thousands that were taken on our wedding day. We haven't seen them all yet, but we can't wait!

Click here to see the slideshow.

Enjoy!

This just in...

2008-02-26T22:54:00.011-05:00

From Luke:

The past few months have been quite the roller coaster for me. Life changes have been coming thick and fast (they’ve been amazing changes, don’t get me wrong. Married life is at least two times better than it’s cracked up to be ☺). But on top of everything, I've been trying to process the growing realization that nursing is not for me. Although I went into nursing school expecting it to be a tool in my ministry toolbox and not a full time career, I didn't realize how much I would dislike even the thought of working a short stint en route to a more fulfilling opportunity.

I struggled with feelings of guilt and made futile attempts to convince myself that I really did want to be a nurse (that lasted until the next clinical). I decided I’d try to muscle my way through it—thinking I’d make it work by brute force (I’m experienced in this one…ever tried convincing yourself that you really do enjoy picking zucchini in 115˚F humid weather in the middle of nowhere in Arkansas whilst having arms covered with poison ivy rashes? If not, then you haven’t worked a summer at OHA…☺). The more I thought about it, though, the more I realized that life is a vapor: you only have so chances to make your life count. And so I began to explore a few alternatives.

To make a long story short, (it IS a really long story…if you’re really interested, give me a call) after exploring several opportunities, having several doors shut in my face, and finally resigning myself to beginning a nursing career, God dropped a bomb on my life. I’ve decided to accept a pastoral internship call to Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“Michigan? You? A PASTOR? But you’re a nurse, not a theology major!” My thoughts exactly. I don’t feel qualified. I’m trusting, though, that God will give me the power and resources I need to be an effective minister of the gospel for His glory. To be honest, I’m thrilled and challenged with the possibilities. There’s nothing more exciting than signing on as God’s teammate.

What more can I say? I couldn’t have foreseen this coming even a month ago. Michigan is one of the last places Audrey and I thought we’d end up. But God works and moves in mysterious ways. I’m just grateful (and infinitely thankful) to be along for the ride.

So if you happen to be in Grand Rapids any time after the end of March, give us a call! You’re welcome any time…

- Luke

Our Story

2008-02-13T14:06:00.005-05:00

Our Story Video

Above is a link to the video Luke and I showed at our wedding. It turned out so nice thanks to Evan Owen's hard work and a little help from Dan McGrath! You guys are amazing! Many people have asked us how they can watch it again, so I thought

we'd include a link here. We hope you enjoy it!

Wedding Preview

2008-02-13T13:25:00.008-05:00

Well, the wedding has come and gone, but I have so many beautiful memories to hold on to - and an amazing husband that made it all worthwhile! Many of you have been asking to see pictures from the wedding. I don't have most of them yet, but here's a sneak preview of the ones I do have.

Thank you all so much for your love, prayers, and support! They made our wedding an amazing experience. We love you all!

Graduation

2008-02-13T13:06:00.005-05:00

All of our hard work has finally paid off. We've graduated!!! December 18th, 2007 we had the pinning ceremony where we received our nursing pins and our made our professional pledge. Then on December 19th, 2007, we officially graduation from Southern Adventist University with our A.S. in nursing. Unfortunately, Luke was at GYC. But we celebrated for him!

As I look back on the nursing program, we've really had some challenging experiences...But we have a lot of great new friends, good memories, and a profession to use as a tool in service. What more could you ask for? So thanks to Mom and Dad for your encouragement, and our friends for putting up with us during this time. It was well worth it!

My official pinning picture.

With Friends Rachel and Martha

With friends Linda, Kelli, and Brittany

Receiving my diploma from Dr. Beitz

The piece of paper to prove I learned ;-)

Hang Gliding

2008-02-12T10:08:00.008-05:00

There are few outdoor activities I've wanted to try more in my life than hang gliding. Somehow the thought of having wings to sail the skies in has always appealed to me. So when Luke gave me a hang gliding trip for my 22nd birthday (yes, this was back in October!), I was really excited! We scheduled our flight time a few weeks later, and took off.

Unbeknownst to Luke, however, I wasn't going to enjoy hang gliding all by myself while he sat on the ground and watched! So I schedule a surprise flight for him. You should have seen the expression on his face when the flight instructor said, "Here are the papers you'll need to sign." He kind of stammered out a, "I'm not going, she is." The instructor just laughed and said, "Well, this flight has your name on it. I can give it away if you'd like!" LOL What fun! So away we went! I could tell you all about it, but I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. I'm thoroughly hooked now (as is Luke), and hope that there will be many more trips to come. There's nothing like the silence up there when it's just you, the wind, and the birds. Amazing!

Aren't the outfits great?

The instructor gives directions before takeoff.

And away we go!

My instructor claimed he had narcolepsy.

Luke enjoying the amazing view!

Luke's hooked!

Luke's headed in for a landing.

The final decent.

Catching Up

2008-02-12T10:06:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm so far behind in blogging it isn't even funny. Life has a way of getting away from you (especially when you graduate, get married, honeymoon, and move into a new house all within weeks!). But I'm determined to get caught up now that things have settled down a bit. So the next few posts will be very out of date, but posts I would like to get up to share with you all!

Enjoy!

Replaced...

2007-12-17T22:22:00.000-05:00

Yes, that's how I'm feeling right now. With a whole day left together to spend with my roommate, I've been prematurely replaced. "Replaced by whom?" you may be asking. Well, that's for her to divulge. LOL Suffice it to say that I'm tickled (though I'll miss her very much).

PS: Please feel free to ponder in the comment space below!

Update Time

2007-10-16T12:03:00.000-05:00

Okay, so it's been a long time since I've blogged. Life has been crazy lately, to say the least. But here's a little peek into what I've been up to lately.

Right now I'm taking two classes at Southern. That doesn't sound like a lot, but they're time-consuming classes with somewhere around 22 hours of required activities & classes a week. That doesn't count homework! The classes are Pediatric Nursing and Adult Health III, which is basically ICU nursing. I'm really enjoying our clinicals for pediatrics and could see myself choosing pediatrics as my nursing field of choice when I graduate - especially peds ICU. The kids are amazing - for such little people they're extremely resilient.

Extra-curricular life: Basically, that would be wedding plans - I live and breathe wedding right now. ;) It's been a ton of work (and fun too) to put together invitations, choose dresses, meet with the florist, figure out food for the reception, you name it. I'm picking up my dress this week, and we just got our engagement pictures in! If you'd like to see them, you can go to www.melodyhood.com.

So that's what I've been busy with! I have to say that I'm learning a lot right now about myself and my perfectionistic tenancies. I'm just realizing that doing a good job at things is better for my health and well-being than doing a perfect job - that perfect is making the most of what I have right now and leaving the rest in God's hands. It's a slow process, but coming. One day at a time...

Earthsongs Sheet Music???

2007-07-18T18:05:00.000-05:00

This is a shot in the dark, but are any of you Secret Garden fans (Not the children's story, but the music group)? If so, do any of you have or know of someone who might have the sheet music book to "Earthsongs"? I'm on the hunt for the book, but for some reason, the company has been our of stock long term!!! Eeeekkk! So if you don't mind asking around, I would be SO excited! Thank you, thank you so very much!

Summer Update

2007-07-03T10:35:00.000-05:00

These last few months have been busy ones. A lot of things have happened in such a short time, that it seems hard to keep up with them all. But here's a brief update.

School at Southern was officially over by May 3. However, for third-semester nursing students, our summer hadn't quite begun. Each of the students in my class are required to spend 120 hours doing clinicals at the hospital of our choice. Of course, I chose Gordon Hospital in Calhoun, where my dad works. I really enjoyed my time and Gordon and loved the strong spiritual atmosphere that this Adventist Hospital has to provide. All in all, I feel much more confidant as a nurse.

With clinicals finished, Luke and I joined some friends to head down to Ouachita Hills College for the graduation of our good friend Kathrine McGrath, and then met up with Luke's mom and a few of my family to head to Polebridge, Montana where Luke's younger brother Luther was graduating from Tamarack Springs Academy. The drive was a lot of fun (though long) and the time in Montana and at the graduation was really a neat vacation for everyone. We also got to stop at Mount Rushmore and the Badlands on the way back. Too neat!

Kathrine McGrath and the rest of the OHA alumni who came to her OHC graduation.

Luther's graduation and the Taylor and Whiting families.

Mom outside the Mt. Rushmore entrance.

The Rushmore Hopefuls - Michael, Steve, Luther, & Luke

Retro's the way to go!

Michael, Steve, and Luther surveying Badlands National Park.

"Little Boone" wanabe Isaac

The scenery was strange and beautiful all at once.

The Whole Gang at Badlands

Upon arriving at home, I spent two weeks with my family before we took of for Jekyll Island, a small, very historic island off the coast of Southern Georgia. It was great to spend family time and enjoy the beach and historic ruins. I didn't realize just how much I needed the time to recover from my whirlwind year.

Now I'm back at home working as a nurse tech at Gordon Hospital. The hours are long and the work demanding, but in between I get the time with my family and plenty of time for wedding plans, which are coming along nicely! I'm really having a blast shopping for a dress, choosing colors, and putting time into all the little details that a wedding involves.

That reminds me....We have officially chosen the date and church. We're going to be getting married on January the 6th (not the 3rd as we originally planned) at the Collegedale Community SDA Church. I'm not sure of the exact time yet, but stay posted for details. We're going to be putting up a website with more details soon. Enjoy your summer!

The Semi-Official Details

2007-04-27T06:58:00.000-05:00

After much deliberation, we have finally chosen a date and tentative location for our wedding! The date will be January 3, 2008. (251 days from today!) That's a Thursday evening - an unusual day to be sure, but then Luke and I aren't the most usual people. LOL We actually chose that date because it allows time for our friends who go to school away from Collegedale to have time to get back to their schools before Sunday, and it gives our friends who go to school here the opportunity to stay at home for as much of their Christmas break as possible. Somehow Thursday just fit.

As for the location, we are still wavering between two churches, but both of them are here in the Collegedale, TN area (actually only a few miles apart) so that travel plans won't change depending on the church. The first is the Chattanooga First SDA Church, a beautiful victorian style church, and the second is the newly built, stately Collegedale Community Church that you see the in the picture above.

So if you can make it, please mark the date on your calenders! There will be more details to follow. And don't forget to keep us up-to-date with your most recent contact information too! We're excited and hope that many of you will be able to celebrate that incredible day in our lives with us!

The Story

2007-03-21T16:37:00.000-05:00

Disclaimer: This story is long. I did my best to shorten it, but Luke did an excellent job of making the proposal extremely special. ;-) So, if you don't have time for the long version, you can just scroll d0wn to the previous post and enjoy the video and the link to our pictures on flickr. For the rest of you brave souls, enjoy!

~~~~~~~

I suppose that it first began on Thursday evening of last week. As Luke was saying good night to me, he left me with a small envelope. Running up to my room, I opened it up to find a simple card with an invitation inside that simply said, "4/01/07: Save the Date." My heart flip-flopped inside a little, because, well, although the exact meaning of the card wasn't clear, somehow I thought I knew what it meant.

But I didn't have to wait until April 1st to find out that it had been an early fool's joke and a cute way to throw me off. Sunday morning as Luke, my sister Shannon, and I were sitting in on the SEYC prayer breakfast and outreach preparation, I received a phone call. "They'll leave a message," I said to Luke. But he was persistent that I should pick it up. After all, "It might be an emergency." So dashing out of the room, I answered the phone. "Hi, this is Amanda. I need you at the desk now. It's an emergency!" The voice was urgent.

"I'm sorry," I stammered, "but who is this? and what desk?"

"It's Amanda Tortal. I need you at the front desk of Thatcher [the girl's dorm] - right away!"

As strange as this all was, I dashed back into the fellowship hall where Luke and Shannon were sitting, grabbed my stuff, and apologized to them for having to leave. Then I took of running. All I could think was, "Someone from home is hurt! But why didn't they call my cell phone?"

When I arrived at the dorm, I was still more bewildered to see Amanda calmly sitting at the front desk. "I have a box for you!" she grinned. "Come around to the side and get it!" Going around to the side, I found a considerably large box with the words "To Audrey Taylor. Open Immediately!" Amanda insisted that I open it right there so she could see what was in it to. So taking the pen she handed me, I cut open the box. Inside were a number of different bags and other items, but by far the most obvious was a beautiful black dress that I had tried on when window shopping with my mom and sister the week before. I gasped and fought to hold back tears. Although I didn't understand the box yet, one thing I knew. Today was the day.

Excusing myself from the desk (choking back tears the whole time), I ran upstairs to my room with the box and pulled out the first item. It was a stack of parchment papers. The one on top was a beautifully printed set of instructions which said, "Curious? Let's just say that you won't have to wait until April 1 to figure out the card. This is the real deal. Hope you don't mind missing outreach..." The first instruction read,

1. Find a quiet place and read the enclosed documents.

Reaching into the box, I found a stack of parchment papers neatly wrapped in string and sealed with wax. By this time I was crying so hard, that in an effort to make sure I could be alone, I went out to the prayer garden to read through the documents.

It was Luke's prayer journal - years of his communications with God, about me, the earliest of which was from October 17, 2004! In those little journal entries, I caught the most beautiful glimpse of Luke's heart. I saw the times he struggled for wisdom to know God's timing, the prayers he prayed for strength to wait, all the prayers he prayed for me - that I would know to do God's will whether that included him or not. I saw a man deeply in love with God first, and because of that, deeply, truly in love with me. Little tears escaped from my eyes and splashed on the pages. That was the last reassurance I needed to know how I was to answer the question that was so obviously coming.

After spending some of my own time in prayer, I ran back up to my dorm room to explore the rest of the box. It was easy to avoid almost everyone by taking the back door into the dorm, but I didn't avoid Shannon. She was sitting outside my dorm room, waiting for me. Without saying anything, she wrapped me in a big hug and we just cried together. "I can't believe it's actually happening," I repeated over and over again. Finally she dried my tears and said, "Ready for instruction number 2?" It said simply,

2. Ask Shannon for 'the stuff' (she'll know what I'm talking about).

Going back into my room, Shannon handed me a bag. In the bag were some long black gloves, a shawl, a pair of black high-heels, and everything else I would need to get dressed up. I put them down and began going through the box with Shannon and Lindsay (my roommate) one item at a time.

A black dress.
A brown teddy bear named Luke (I later found out it said, "I love you, if you squeezed it's hand).

A bottle of "Real" AE women's perfume (I had bought him the men's version for the anniversary of our first year of dating).
An envelope with $7 inside that said "Save this, you'll need it later."
A homemade CD that said "To Audrey, with love" on the outside.

After emptying the box, I read instructions 3 and 4.

3. Take a shower (if you haven't already) and change into clean, comfortable clothes.
4. By no later than 11:15 AM get in your car and head towards 75 south (play the pink CD in your car for further instructions). Enjoy!

P.S. Bring the contents of the box + "the stuff" with you.

It was only then that I looked at the clock and realized it was 11:16! Throwing the rest of my stuff together in a hurry, I ran down to the car, followed by Shannon and her trusty camera. It only took a minute to get out on the road and to pop in the CD. Oh, yes - the CD. For Christmas of 2005, after Luke and I had just finished dating, Luke had recorded a "radio talk-show" on GarageBand which he called, "The Alfred Chatter Show." In the recording, Luke calls in and talks to the host, Alfred Chatter, telling him all the wonderful things he loves about Audrey. This was the recording that Luke put and an iPod Nano and surprised me with that Christmas morning. Now, on the CD I had just put in, was a second episode of "The Alfred Chatter Show." Only during this episode, Alfred Chatter called Luke for an update on how his and Audrey's relationship was going. At the end of the update, Luke said, "Audrey, if you happen to be listening to this, get into I-75 south. Take it to 27 north..." and he proceeded to give me directions to a parking lot in downtown Chattanooga. From there, I was to go to the shop across the street where I had a 12:00 appointment. The rest of the CD was full of love-songs that were meaningful to the two of us.

When I finally arrived at the parking lot, the mystery of the $7 was solved. It was the fee for an all-day parking pass. Across the street, I saw the shop where I had an appointment - "The Natural Body Spa." I can still remember walking into the shop, still in shock and happy tears. All the ladies in the shop knew exactly who I was and seemed to be expecting this. I had to laugh when one of the said, "Bless your heart, honey. You're shaking like a leaf! It's really going to be okay."

The spa treatments were incredible! Luke and scheduled me for a facial, a manicure and pedicure (which I got french style), and a full body massage. With the massage, I received my final set of clues. The paper simply read,

"My beautiful princess....I hope you've enjoyed some well-deserved pampering. But it's not over yet. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Put on the dress
2. Select any makeup/cosmetics you want and put them on
3. Your chauffeur will arrive at 4 PM. Follow his instructions (you can leave whenever you're ready).

See you soon!

Love, Luke.

PS - Bring your car keys with you, but leave your car in the parking lot. We'll take care of it."

The ladies at the spa escorted me to the shower where I could dress, clean off, and do my hair. Then they let me pick out my cosmetics and even put them on for me! I felt like a queen. Finally I was ready for my chauffeur. The salon manager must have cued him, because in walked Jonathan Reynolds and Shannon - dark glasses, black jackets. It was quite the sight! They then proceeded to blindfold me and put me in the back of the car. Shannon took off with my car, and Jonathan took off with me!

The trip we took must have been about 20 minutes, down windy roads, up a mountain (I could tell because my ears popped!), over gravel, and we even did a little off-roading (which I found out was completely unnecessary, and only meant to confuse me ;-). Then Jonathan slowed, honked his horn twice, and stopped. It was only a minute before Luke opened the door, reached in, and picked me up out of the car. Then he carried me, for what seemed like a long way down a woody trail and then set me in a chair.

When Luke finally took the blindfold off, he was on one knee in front of me. I remember staring into his eyes for just a second, and then catching my breath. He was so handsome! I got lost in his deep brown eyes for just a second, and then looked around me. I gasped! I was sitting at a small round table with a beautiful red table cloth, candles, champaign glasses, sparkling apple cider, grapes, and a vase of a dozen red roses with one white one in the middle. All of this was set on a cliff that towered over the Tennessee river valley. It was beautiful!

So there, on Signal Mountain, Luke proposed to me. And of course, I said yes. It was then that we both said, "I love you" for the first time, and shared our first kiss. That was incredible! Need I say more? ;-)

He then told me that he wanted to be my lover, my best friend, and my servant for as long as we live, and pulling out a bowl of water with rose petals floating in it, he washed my feet to represent that in the most real way that he could. It was beautiful! It was after he finished washing my feet, that I noticed the Bible. On the table, Luke had placed a beautiful, burgundy, leather-bound Bible with with the name "Audrey Nicole Whiting" embossed on the front. I think I burst into tears all over again. It looked so strange - so wonderful. Then he opened it up and showed me how he had highlighted different meaningful passages - Proverbs 31:11, Song of Solomon 8:6, 7 and others. He then turned to Ephesians 5:22-33 and read to me Paul's, or rather God's, injunction to husbands on how they are to treat their wives and said, "I want to be that to you for as long as you live."

The rest of our time on the mountain overlook we shared the sparkling apple cider, my favorites fruits (raspberries & peaches), and fed each other chocolate-covered strawberries that his mom made. We laughed more, hugged more, and shared more kisses. All too soon, our time came to an end and we made our way back to the truck for our final descent home.

Or so I thought...but when the vehicle pulled up in front of Reynold's house and the street was packed with cars parking around their house, I knew Luke was up to something more. "You didn't think you're sanguine boyfriend would propose without a party, did you?" he asked me. Sure enough, he had thought to invite more people than I could count - my family, his family and Reynolds, of course, but besides that, about 50 of our friends from Southern! It was so neat to see all of the support we got, to hear all of the laughs as we shared our story, and realize how neat it is to have a relationship to share with others! I hope our relationship will always be a blessing to the people around us!

I can't tell you how ecstatic I am now! I've practically been floating since Sunday! God is so wonderful, and I am so privileged to be engaged to my best friend. I can still hardly believe that it's real...

Media of Our Big Day

2007-03-21T16:20:00.000-05:00

Pictures: Click Here

Video:

The Big News...

2007-03-19T21:52:00.000-05:00

Guess what, everyone???

As of Sunday, March 18th, 2007, I am officially engaged to my best friend and the love of my life, Luke Jonathan Whiting!!!

I am so ecstatic that I can hardly type this without shaking. It's 11:00pm and I've been running crazy all day today doing nursing assignments and clinicals; but by tomorrow, I should be able to post the whole story and some pictures too. Suffice it to say, I feel as though I must be about the happiest young lady on the planet right now. :-)

Winter Park

2007-03-13T11:00:00.000-05:00

Spring break is decidedly over. But I thought I'd try sharing a little bit of it with you, including some pictures and a brief synopsis of my latest adventures. I now officially ski! (my apologies to snowboarders everywhere...Shannon ;-)

Southern has a neat program where you can get a P.E. credit if you go on a ski trip with them over spring break. I needed a P.E. credit, so this sounded like a fun way to get it. The only problem was...I didn't ski! Fortunately, I managed to find a ski teacher who would travel with me (i.e. Luke), and so, at 3:00 am on March 3, we left with a bus full of students and families from around Collegedale and headed to the airport for our trip to Winter Park, CO.

My first day on the ski slope was quite an adventure. It seems that neither Luke or I figured out that there was a bunny hill for first time skiers. So, trying to make the best of the situation, Luke showed me how to put on my skis, snow-plow stop, and stop by turning sharply on a flat area in front of the first lift. Then I was swept up the lift to the top of Parkway for my first run ever! Needless to say my first attempt was amusing (to others) at best. No sooner would I stand up when my skis would decide to take the run without me, and I would be left flailing in the snow - ski-less. Upon finally reaching the bottom through a series of consecutive ski launches similar to the one previously described, Luke whisked me back to the lift, and away we went to the top of Parkway yet again.

Without overdramatizing the rest of the week, I did manage to catch on by the middle of the first day (thanks to my awesome teacher!) and by the end of the day had begun trying some intermediate (blue) slopes as well. Mid-week I found a teacher who gave me and another guy a lesson on how to conquer the blue slopes a little more effectively, which really helped. Then the last day out we got a beautiful powder snowfall. By that time I was able to do the harder blue runs and even a blue-black run (advanced-intermediate level or so)! My favorite run was one on the Parsenn bowl (upper left side of the picture) - there's an awesome, nearly 360 degree view from the top!

I have to say that I really enjoy skiing now! I'm sort of even wishing I lived on the west coast. ;-) But all good things must come to an end. I'm back in the 70 degree sunny south now, where spring is beginning to poke its head through the dirt and the world is once again coming to life. Then again, maybe I do like living on the east coast okay after all - as long as there's a ski trip west every now and again...

New Year Changes

2007-02-20T16:32:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since I've written. And a lot has happened in that short time. So I thought it was time for an update post.

I started 2007 at the General Youth Conference. It was awesome! The speakers shared solid and inspiring Biblical messages, and though I was working with registration for a good portion of the time, I still got to attend a number of meetings. one of the things that I'm really beginning to notice about GYC is its appeal to youth of all different backgrounds: conservative, liberal, and in-between (if we have to make such deliniations). All I can think is that it attests to the power of the Bible and its relevance no matter what the century, generation or background. It's pretty awesome to see in person. Anothering thing that particularly struck me about this year's conference was that instead of getting a temporary spirutla high that left with the conference, I came away with a deeper, more sincere desire to make some changes in my life - one being to spend more time in the Word.

Following GYC, I spent the week with Luke and his family at their home in N.C. and in Washington, D.C. I hadn't been to D.C. since I was in my early teens - it's changed quite a bit! We got to see Gerald Ford's body lying in State in the Capitol Building, the newly "renovated" archives (which contain the Declaration of Independance, Constitution & other original National documents), and the "new" World War II memorial among other things. It was also great to spend vacation time with the whole Whiting family. We had too much fun!

Then it was back to Southern. I have a lighter load this year (on purpose!). I'm only taking 12 credits which has given me that ability to focus on things that have gotten pushed aside during past semesters. So I'm taking Adult II Nursing, OB Nursing, Massage & Hydrotherapy (it's a rough life, what can we say?), 'cello lessons, and orchestra - and really enjoying the low-key schedule. I'm still working for the Student Association, and had the opportunity to speak about spiritual adoption for Student Week of Prayer this semester. Which reminds me...we now have a new chaplain, Brennon Kirstein (and his wife Brandy who graduated from Mission College!). It's a big transition for the college and a neat opportunity for God to work in the spiritual life of Southern.

And here I am! We're almost at spring break now, but I'm sure the semester has a lot more surprises in store. So for now, keep in touch!

Seasons Change

2006-11-19T20:35:00.000-05:00

It's definitely time to post again. Somehow it's always on my to-do list, but doesn't seem to take top priority. However, today I'm going to attempt to redeem myself and catch you up on what's happened in my life since I posted last (don't worry, I won't make this too long...no minute-by-minute run-downs or anything).

I suppose the biggest thing that has happened in these last two months is that I am unequivocally, inarguably, officially an adult. Is that scary or what? LOL I remember when I used to think that 21 was the personification of maturity. I'm beginning to question all the other perceptions I had at that time too. ;-) Somehow I feel far from having attained anything except the realization that 21 holds no magic maturity wand. But what can I say? I'm so thankful for how God has led thus far in my life and by His grace I'm going to get the most out of 21, whatever it holds!

The next biggest thing that's happened to me since then I blogged was that I actually have two whole, happy, working feet! After 8 weeks of crutch-walking & boot-hopping, my foot feels almost as goodas new. A huge thanks to all of the people who helped me with my food, carried my things (or me!) time after time, and who prayed for my quick healing. I know it helped so much!

School, S.A., and GYC all continue to fill much of my time, but there was a little fall left when I got my foot back again. For those of you that don't live on the east coast, you missed a very beautiful autumn! I could talk about it, but I thought pictures would do it a lot more justice! We took these pictures on a day trip that Luke and I took to Cloudland Canyon, GA at the beginning of the month.

The last big thing that happened since I blogged last is that on November 13, Luke and I celebrated our first year of courtship! God has been so good to us! I want to share some pictures and thoughts with you on that too, but I think I'll include those in another blog. Until then, Happy Thanksgiving!

Wonder Woman was Wrong

2006-09-22T18:09:00.000-05:00

In the last month since I've posted I've managed to get myself into a lot. School is in full swing, and between my classes and extra curricular activities I've found myself often times loaded to the maximum. For classes I'm taking Mental Health Nursing, Survey of Chemistry II (chemistry for nurses) and New Testament History. For extra-curricular activities I joined orchestra this year (and I'm SO thrilled! I haven't played my 'cello in a while and wasn't sure if I'd be able to join. But I was!), I'm taking private 'cello lessons, involved heavily in the Student Association (student government) as the Executive Secretary, and working with GYC in the registration department again this year.

Because that didn't keep me occupied enough, it was determined (by whom I'm not sure) that this would be a good time for me to break my foot. Yep. If you've heard the rumors, they're true. I was cleaning up from a Freshman prayer breakfast at the beginning of the school year and was rolling a very large, heavy, round folding table across the gymnasium floor. When a kid dashed a little too close to me, I tried to miss him and lost control of the table. It landed squarely on my foot! Yowwy!! Needless to say I was in some pretty intense pain. It took us just a short time and an X-ray to realize that I had broken my 5th metatarsal (for those who aren't medical people, suffice it to say that's an important bone in your foot). So I got this neat boot-like thing and a pair of crutches for the road and they sent me back to school.

Now that's a trick, because if you've ever visited Southern, you know that we have stairs, and LOTS of them! It quickly dawned on me why we don't have more handicap students than we do. Now I also happen to live on the 3rd floor of the dorm (with no elevator), so I only have to crutch-walk down about 40 stairs and then up another 150 to get to my first class in the morning. ;-) Hmmm.... Yeah, it hasn't been easy. But I have learned a really important lesson along the way, thanks to my wonderful Mom!

When my Mom brought me back form the hospital and got me settled back into my dorm, she left two cute little post-it notes on my cupboard. One of them had instructions for how to handle any pain in my foot. The other simply said this: "Don't be Wonder Woman!! ASK FOR HELP. I love you, Mom."

I didn't realize how hard that would be in reality. I depend on other people right now to do my laundry, get my food (holding a tray while crutch-walking is a stunt I haven't mastered yet!), carry my backpack if it's too heavy, carry my 'cello over to my music stand at orchestra from the instrument lockers, drive me everywhere I need to go, clean the dorm room, you name it! It was hard at first to ask for help with such basic things, but I realized my Mom was right. I couldn't carry my heavy class load and manage all these little things myself. I needed help.

So Luke has gotten my food for nearly every meal, helped me up stairs, and driven me everywhere I need to go. Lindsay has cleaned my room, made my bed, brought stuff down the stairs for me. Random strangers have held open doors, my orchestra buddies have carried my 'cello around for me. I have been so blessed!

You know, I think there's a spiritual application here too. How many of us try to live the Christian life on our own - we don't need help. We're okay. But when a crisis hits, we are forced to find out how much we really do need others. Incredible things happen then because we find out that everyone is intertwined, like a finely-knit mesh, and no one can really truly thrive without others.

Two are better than one...For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up" (Ecc. 4:9, 10).

PS - Disclaimer. Wonder Woman is used simply as an analogy. Neither my mother nor I endorse DC Comics or Wonder Woman in any way, shape, or form. ;-) (Just had to clarify that.)

Summer School...(okay, I have fun too!)

2006-08-07T17:42:00.000-05:00

It's been so long since I've sat down to post. I think an update is long overdue.

The last month has really been a full one. After enjoying a rather relaxed summer staying at home and working as a nurse in my dad's medical office, I felt much more refreshed and ready to begin school again. Luke came home from Afghanistan on July 14th. It was so good to see him again! We got to spend a weekend together with my family before heading up to Southern - enjoying seeing the Bodies exhibit in Atlanta, hiking on Sabbath, and caving on Sunday. Monday we headed up to school where we got settled into our rooms and I was reunited with my bestest roomie Lindsay. ;-) It was good to see her again after a long summer! Then we began Microbiology.

Summer school at Southern is pretty intense. I'm in class from 1-5 p.m. five days a week. That doesn't include study outside of class. We have tests ever Monday and every other Friday too, which also keeps us on our toes. But there's still a little time for enjoying the summer weather too (which has been in the high 90s-100 this week). We've made friends with some of the people from the outdoor education department, which has given us some nice opportunities. This last week was a good example.

Wednesday we got to try out the ropes course back in the woods behind our campus. The particular element they set up, you climbed 25 ft. up into a tree, free walked/balanced across a beam about 30 ft long (attached to a harness in case you fall, of course), then swung down in a giant swing to the ground. What a blast! ;-) Even Isaac, my 8-year-old brother who was visiting me did it. I was impressed! Friday Luke & I went to the Goliath wall, a rock climbing wall in the student park to do some rappelling. But just in the middle of my rappel, a huge thunder peal let loose. Quickly dropping to the bottom, I ran back up to the top of the wall (around a back path of course) and we all put away the gear and dashed down the hill. The storm was right over us...with lightning and thunder happening simultaneously. Thought one of the guys had his truck and gave us a ride to the dorms in the back, by the time we got there, we were drenched. So rather than take all the bother to go in and get dry, we stayed outside and played frisbee in the mud puddles. ;-)

Sabbath after lunch, the student park cave was open. That too was a neat experience! Though most of the cavers preferred to stay dry, Luke and I are the type that are magnetically attracted to mud. So we found the lake in the back of the cave, and a small hole called appropriately "the toilet hole". This was just a few foot wide tunnel that went straight into the ground. You slide into it and when you got to the bottom you landed "kersplash" in muddy water to your waist. I love it! ;-)

Then Sabbath after sundown we finished the day by spending some time with some new friends we've made playing mini-golf. As though the weekend weren't exciting enough, Sunday Luke and I went with the outdoor education team again on a white-water rafting trip. Although there wasn't much white water, we enjoyed floating down the river through what there was (either in a raft or just free floating on our backs - those of your who did White Water rescue with Wilderness Way could appreciate the sheer ecstasy of riding through rapids without a water-craft ;-). What a blast!

Monday has a way of bringing all such activities to a rapid end. LOL But I'm must more refreshed for the microbiology that we had today. We're blessed with a very neat teacher who is passionate about her subject material. She makes us even enjoy what we're learning. And that's important for micro...believe me. ;-)

The Unfulfilled Desire

2006-07-19T07:36:00.000-05:00

For devotions the last few weeks, along with my Bible reading, I've been reading a chapter of "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. I couldn't have imagined what a blessing it would be! C.S. Lewis has such a fresh way of looking at the basic building blocks of Christianity. If you haven't read the book, I would really encourage you to do so!

But I thought I'd share with you what gained from this morning's reading in the chapter entitled, "Hope." You are well aware, I'm sure, that life is full of desires - the desire for food, the desire for water, for mental stimulation, for love, etc. Each of these desire exists only because the thing we desire exists as well. For example, a baby only cries for food because food actually exists. A traveler only thirst for water because water is a real substance. There is no desire that does not have a fulfillment.

But by now you're probably thinking, "There is one desire..." And I know the one you mean. It's the desire you still have for something (though no one can quite put their finger on what that something is) when every other desire has been fulfilled. Think of the best vacation you ever took, how you thought that would be just what you wanted! Or perhaps the best relationship you had, how you were sure that would somehow fill the hole...but when the vacation was over (pulled off perfectly too!) and you had gotten the perfect spouse (bear with me for those of us that aren't married...this is for the sake of the illustration ;-), somehow there was still a sense of disappointment because that funny desire in you was never totally filled. Was the vacation a flunk? No. Should you have married a different person? Probably not.

Maybe, rather, there's a different answer to this longing than to others...for remember that no desire exists for which there isn't something with which to fill it. It's to this question that C.S. Lewis answers with one of his most well-known gems of wisdom, "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

Perhaps that desire, that longing is one we were never meant to have filled on earth, but only when we are once again in the presence of our Creator. So next time you feel discontented because somehow there is a desire in you that nothing in this world seems to fill, remember to thank God for it and focus your mind on the heavenly things that alone will fill that God-shaped vacuum. Heaven is close enough...

Summer Flies

2006-07-13T06:35:00.000-05:00

It's already mid-July. Wow, how time flies! In the last month since I've posted, God has really given me a lot of growing experiences and the opportunity to learn to serve Him in different ways. I had originally planned on going overseas for the summer, but He had other plans, which I'm only now beginning to see...So what have I been doing this summer? LOL Well...

+ Work: After my sinus healed from the surgery I had in May, I found that I really needed something to keep me busy during my time at home. My dad had an opening for a nurse at his office, so I've been working there this summer! I call people back to the rooms, help the providers (3 Doctors, a PA, and a midwife) with procedures and examinations, and keep the office set-up and tidy throughout the day. It's been a really good learning experience...I've gained some more practical skills for my future nursing career, gotten more comfortable working with patients and providers, and have made some new friends too!

+ Home: With so many brothers and sisters, there's always house cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, and laundry to be done. But the most important (and fun) part of the day is reading the dozens of stories you're begged to read, taking kids down to the creek to play, scrapbooking with a younger sister, practicing music together, and chasing around kittens (we have two of them in our house right now! LOL). I'm super glad I was able to spend this time with them!

+ Church: We've had some neat mission-minded speakers come this summer and share at our church. I've been busy playing the piano (which I miss doing so much at school!) and helping out wherever I can. We've done some outreach too, passing out literature. I usually don't like going door-to-door (I always feel like I'm imposing on people), but I've had good experiences passing out books, and I think I'm starting to get over some of that dislike. ;-)

And now the summer's almost gone for me! Tomorrow Luke comes back from Afghanistan (Yay! ;-), and summer session at Southern starts on Monday. You know, this has been a really refreshing summer, and I think I'm actually ready to go back to school! LOL I miss classes, homework, clinicals, and my totally awesome roommate Lindsay! ;-)

I hope you all are having awesome growing experiences this summer too! Keep in touch!

~ Audrey

Missed

2006-06-18T15:58:00.001-05:00

It was just a week ago today that Luke and Luther arrived at our home to spend one last night with my family before heading to India, and then Afghanistan to be with their parents. I was so excited to get to see Luke after being apart from him for the greater part of May – to eat dinner with him, walk around Berry College (a beautiful 1800s college near my home), and just be together for one last time this summer! Then Monday morning, my sister and I drove Luke and Luther to the airport to catch their flight to India. It was really hard saying goodbye. We’ll be apart for the rest of the summer, if everything goes as is planned now - a decision that was hard to make, though both of us know it was the right one. With Luke being in Afghanistan, we probably won’t get to talk much either. Email and letters are really the only feasible means of communication.

During the week since saying goodbye, I’ve really been struggling with missing Luke. It feels as though something really important in my life is gone and that there’s somehow a hole left unfilled. Every new experience that I go through I want to run and share with him. But I can’t. He’s not here. Something jumps out at me in my devotions and I can’t wait to tell him all about it. But instead I have to sit down and write an email, because I can’t call him. It’s okay, I mean it works, but it’s not the same as being with the person you care about. I’m counting down the days already until he comes back.

But you know, all of this has made me ever so much more keenly aware of how God must feel. How He longs to be with us! In His heart is a huge hole that will never be filled until He brings us home. How very, very much He wants to share experiences with us, and talk with us. Yet He too is forced to have to share all those things in letters – through the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. It works, but it wasn’t His original plan or intention. And so He too is counting down the days until we can be with Him again in person. I feel now as though I understand a little bit of God’s heart. How much more I want to help Him speed that time up when He can be reunited with His precious ones!

The Great Commission

2006-06-08T07:41:00.000-05:00

While thinking of what to study during my devotions one morning this week, it dawned on me that I haven’t ever sat down to study the Great Commission before. Sure, I’ve had it memorized since I was quite little, heard numerous sermon’s preached on it, and felt it’s convicting power. But I has never sat down to do an in-depth study on it before. That sounded exciting!

So getting out my NKJV Bible and Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, I went to work. I spent my whole devotion time that morning searching words, analyzing Greek meanings, and weighing concepts. But do you know that after my whole devotional time, I found nothing new! That’s right. Nothing.

Not to be discouraged, I sat still to think for a minute, when it hit me. In finding nothing, I had found out everything about the Great Commission. When Christ gave His followers the command to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20), He wanted to make it one of the most simple and straightforward commands He had ever given. Why? Because He knew that of anything He had ever said, this one command would be the most difficult for us to follow. If this command were at all enshrouded in mystery, man would have an excuse for failing to follow through with it.

So Christ, in His infinite wisdom, said exactly what He meant in the most plain, layman terms He could utilize. And where does that leave us? Without excuse. We have heard the command as plainly as it comes. The command leaves no one out. If you’ve ever read or heard it, it has become your command too. The question is not what Christ meant by what He said, but rather how serious we are about obeying.

New Blog

2006-05-01T19:42:00.000-05:00

After spending time looking at my friends blogs, I realized how much better I like the .blogger site format than Xanga's format. So I decided to start a .blogger. I'll still post links on my Xanga site for those of my friends that use xanga. But this is where I'll do my main blogging. I'm excited about getting a little more on top of it than I have been. I've been kind of slow about my blogging with finals and everything. But with a great summer ahead, hopefully I'll have a lot more time for this!

~ Audrey