Rant

All I have to say right now is that I WANT TO BE PREGNANT TOO! All of my friends either have a kid or are expecting right now...and it has been this way for the past two years! It makes me sad that I don't even have the hoping of getting pregnant right now because we have decided to wait until next year before we start trying...Which I know is what is best, but forget plans and absence of stress...I want a baby to love!

Sorry...just found out another friend is expecting!

Simply Amazing!

Our Lord is simply amazing in all His ways! He is our rock, our redeemer, our grace and peace, but right now God is truly our provider! I can tell you that this week has been difficult for Ryan and I with finances. We are not the only ones...but it gets so overwhelming sometimes. We are saving for my final semester which will take about 3000 dollars, all said and done and we are more than halfway there,which is wonderful! But when we started the process of Ryan going back to school, our goal was to have 8000 before January and we haven't gotten there. Ryan was feeling extra bummed this week because we had made the decision that he wasn't starting school yet due to lack of funds. He really didn't express to me how disappointed he was, but I could tell. We have both been irritable about money and feeling the disappointment of not reaching our goal...and then God takes over!
Ryan's grandparents are in town this week and took us out to lunch. We had a great time catching up with them and talking about life and memories. Then Gary asked about next semester...Ryan responded with we don't have the money so I am not starting...Gary countered with, well how can we help? Ryan responded, (paraphrased) We would appreciate it, but we don't want to get a loan from anyone. And then Jackie (grandma) promptly said, But you would accept a gift! And I started crying...couldn't get the words out of my mouth to Thank them...and everyone else started crying too!
SO RYAN IS GOING TO SCHOOL!!!!!! We are so excited for this! God is so faithful to us even when we don't trust him.
God has also been faithful in helping me stay in touch with friends! Thanks to Ellie, Suzanne and Jessica for being so wonderful to talk with through all this! And Janelle for the support in Youth Group ideas and challenges! I love you guys so much!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11

End of the Semester

Well it is that time of year again...the end of the fall semester. I always struggle at this point with all the deadlines that need to be met and all the unfinished work I have put off until the last week of school! I hate that I do this, but I do it EVERY year. Thanksgiving break is always my lazy point and I love being with family and not working on anything! Why am I like this? Why do I enjoy spending time with people when the world says I should be working hard and advancing in my school and career? I just want to be with friends and family right now! I need to kick myself in the behind to get motivated to really work the next two weeks! Then the next 10 weeks before my show opens! AHHHHH!
I am stressed, but at the same time I know that God has it all under control. I just hope I don't stay lazy thinking He will do it all for me. :)
Ryan is working all the time right now. He gets up early, works all day, then goes to class and does it all without a single complaint. He is amazing. We still are struggling for money and are waiting to see if we will have enough for him to start school in the spring. Who knows... I trust that God is doing all this for our good, it is just tiring and sometimes hard to push through. Ryan is a total saver and I am a total spender...which stinks because that means we both have to give a little to reach our goals and stay sane doing it. I wish I could just surrender my desire for new things and spending money! I pray that God would take away my desires for this! That I would be motivated to save and really get Ryan through school, start building a "nest egg" for kids or a house and that I would finish my applications for teaching jobs!
Life is just so up in the air right now! I don't know what I would do if Christ wasn't my rock to lean against right now!

Art Shows

I just found out today that I got two out of three pictures into the Juried Graduate Show at NIU! The opening is this Thursday night at 4:30pm in the Jack Arends building on campus!
So the next few weeks will be busy with art openings!

11/6- Grad show
11/14- Freeport Art Museum

Life has been pretty busy here for us. I have decided to quite one of my jobs, which I hate to do because I don't like feeling like I can't help someone out when they need it. But with that said, the company needs someone who doesn't have to be trained at all(magically), can work full-time and do it for less than 10/hr. I just need to focus more on school and making sure my priorities are straight in life! I have been praying for strength as I prepare to talk with my boss! I am scared! Ryan and I have also been praying for another job to come my way that would fit better into my schedule; and God is so faithful! I just got a call about a bookbinding job! They are willing to teach me everything I need to know and I can work when is convenient for me! Ryan's job is still going well at UPS...we are waiting to hear if he will have extra hours during the holidays or not. I don't enjoy the waiting game at all!
We did have some fun the past couple of weeks though! We carved pumpkins with the Wells' clan downstairs and watched NIU win another football game with Jeff. We are blessed with great family and friends here in DeKalb/Malta!

This is the pumpkin I carved of Ryan and me at our cocktail party before the wedding.

Freeport Art Center Juried Exhibition

Okay, so here is the info for the show! There is a members preview reception on Friday, November 14th from 5-7pm, which is when they will announce with first, second, and third place winners! I don't really care if I win anything, it is just so nice to have my work showing outside of NIU! It makes you feel like it is worth it to make art and get people to talk about your work and what it means.
The gallery is sending postcards to about 30 friends and family members of each artist! I am just so excited!

Art Show!

So I just got a letter from a show I applied for and I got accepted! I will be showing a photography at the Freeport Art Museum next month! More info to come!

The passing of time

Recently I have been amazed at how quickly time passes. Everything seems to bunch together when you get older and I find it hard to keep it all straight! But the funny thing is, I know that my life is so blessed because I see God working in it all the time! I have seen him heal a friend, when things didn't seem to be good at all, I have felt him give me such a sense of peace in the middle of struggles and I have heard him whisper in my ear the words to say to friends at difficult times.

Currently, I am working to finish my schooling and deciding to apply for teaching positions across the nation. I know that God has the perfect plan for Ryan and I in our careers and home life, but prayer is what keeps my faith and trust alive. Please pray for discipline for me in getting the "teaching packet" together!

Ryan is doing great at work and he meets with an adviser from NIU today to get the recommended classes for the Spring! How exciting! Our journey is beginning to reshape itself, but God is so great in the midst! He is using Ryan and I in ways I never thought possible. While he and I are so busy, God allows time to spend with friends and family. We may not be rich, but we are blessed with joy and peace beyond understanding.

Thank you Lord!

In the Life of the Wells'

Ryan and I have been married now for about 15 months and what a journey it has been so far! We have grown so much in our relationship with each other and with our friends and God. Right now, I am in the last 2 semesters of grad school for my Masters of Fine Arts in Photography and teaching at NIU in the foundations program for freshman art. I also work for a local photo studio in DeKalb a couple days a week. Ryan is beginning his grad degree in Accountancy this spring! We are very excited about this, well as Ry would say, "being cautiously optimistic" about having all the money we need to both be in school next semester without taking any loans out! Ryan is also working for UPS and at our church, helping out our pastor. God has been so faithful in providing what we have needed!


I have included some of my favorite photos from childhood of Ryan and I! Just for fun.