Trying to be Thankful Thursday

Happy Thankful Thursday to you!

As much as I would love to pretend that everything in life is peachy and perfect

I'm afraid I have to be honest.

I've been having a hard time being thankful as of late.

More so I've been having a hard time,

remembering God's faithfulness.

I'm currently struggling.

It's been hard watching those around me move on with their lives

while I feel like I'm stuck, stagnant and going no where.

I'm struggling to fight off thoughts that

I am not good enough

I am not desirable

I am not worth it

I am unwanted, unloved and unworthy.

It sounds so silly as I write this,

but unfortunately it's my reality and it's ugly.

Needless to say I haven't really been in the 

"thankful" mood the past few weeks.

All the more reason to sit and think about all of the Lord's provisions.

He is faithful,

whether I "feel" it or not.

So today I am thankful for

great books

time alone reading in the park

soccer games

letters from Hawaii

the ability to run

apples and peanut butter

gmail chatting

learning how to love from my sweet niece

weddings

 designing wedding flowers

dancing

getting to wear a bridesmaid dress more than once

these two lovely ladies who have greatly impacted my life

and relationship with the Lord

traveling

snugly couch conversations

giving terrarium building lessons

getting to know my friends husband more

babies being born

spending time in Utah with my dear friend Christina

being in the mountains

snowfall

cold weather

really great hot chocolate

adventure

exploring

snowshoeing!

spending time with my family

a dad who takes care of my car troubles

(even when thousands of miles away)

a brother who has allowed me to use his car for the past few weeks

while I don't have one

catching up with friends I haven't talked to in ages

planning reunion weekends with college friends

my sweet roommates

decorating our cozy apartment

watching my front porch garden grow

Downton Abbey

trips to the zoo

learning how to pray

learning about my passions

sweet times with the girls I disciple

I know that today,

I am truly thankful that there is purpose in all things.

That no matter what season of life I am in,

God's purpose is great and His faithfulness will be unveiled. 

What are you thankful for today?...

You Know You're a Horticulturist When You...

... take a trip to the amazing San Diego Zoo

and you daydream about exploring forests and jungles

drool over lush, green ferns

swoon over the large array of phenomenal blooms

and come home only to realize

your camera roll is filled with more photos of landscapes and plants

than animals.

Yep.

Just another successful day in the life of

a nerdy horticulturist.

Brittany and Adam's Winter Wedding

Happy New Years to you!

It's my first blog post of 2013

and I can't think of a better way to kick start the new year

than with a dose of wedding flowers.

 I met Brittany and Adam almost 2 years ago,

they're students in our Cru movement at UCI.

I have had the privilege of discipling Brittany for the past year and a half

and it has been so wonderful getting to know her 

and her heart for the Lord.

She is probably the most gentle, sincere and compassionate person I know

and it has been so neat to walk alongside her and Adam 

as they begin this new adventure.

It was this past December they tied the knot,

and it was so fun to be a part of their wedding day.

I absolutely love getting to work with brides,

creating arrangements with personal touches

 that reflect their style and personalities.

Brittany's choice of colors and flowers 

matched the wet, wintery wedding day perfectly.

Brittany's bouquet was overflowing with gorgeous

stems of white Hydrangea and Vendela roses

and accented with antique blue Hydrangea and sprigs of babies breath.

All wrapped in burlap and lace.

For her bridesmaids she wanted contrast,

she wanted their blue to pop.

And pop it did.

Their bouquets were filled with Vendela roses,

babies breath and stems of bright blue Hydrangea.

They were all wrapped in burlap and lace and tied up with 

a blue ribbon.

The men all wore a Vendela rose and babies breath boutonniere

while the moms and grandmothers all carried a single,

long stemmed white rose.

Getting to do the flowers for 

this beautiful, winter wedding was 

pure joy.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Clements,

thanks for letting me be a part of your special day!