This is what is getting me through my day...

The thought of sipping an iced cold mocha madness from Honey Dew Donuts.  If you haven't tried one before, you really really really should now.

Something i'm excited about!

So this past year I was a part of our Church's training school "Navigate".  I could not speak more highly of the school and the people who were a part of it.  I have learned so much about myself, God, the Bible, community, friendship, etc.  I have also made some really amazing friends because of it.  There is some unspoken bond between us all because of the things we have went through as a group. 

I have been on a team my whole life (Cross country, track, lacrosse) and I have learned to love the tight knit feeling of them.  There is something special about going through the same experiences with a group of people.  You can feel for one another.  Although personal experiences may differ from person to person, you are embarking on the same journey together.  You have each others backs, you encourage, motivate and love one another.

Once I graduated College I knew I would miss being a part of a team.  I knew I probably wouldn't be able to join some recreational team, so I wasn't sure how it would all pan out.  It is safe to say that my desires did not fall to the way side.  Navigate made me a part of a team again.  We have each others backs, encourage, motivate and love one another! We get to experience the tight bond teams have.  We get to grow and challenge one another in the most important aspect of our lives- our faith.

Now after completing the first module of Navigate, I am so excited to move on to the second!  Although our team is half the size it was in the beginning I am certain it is going to be just as powerful as the first.  I am also certain that the bonds made in the first year of Navigate will be ones that last forever.

Bring on Mod II!

(photo missing a few!)

Welcome Arielle!

One of my very best friends Stacey had her baby this weekend! I was so happy for her and her boyfriend Mike.  I had the pleasure of meeting this bundle of joy on Saturday, just eight hours after she was born.  Honestly, it was one of the most memorable moments of my life.  If there weren't so many people in the room with Stacey, I would have broke down crying.  I just couldn't believe that Stacey- my best friend Stacey, same girl I grew up next to since the 5th grade had a baby.  Stacey has been by my side through thick and thin, and someone I trust and love with all of my heart.  So needless to say, this weekend was an all time favorite.  As for Arielle- She is absolutely perfect.  She has dark hair and dark eyes just like daddy, and a little face that you could stare at for hours.

I am so happy for Stacey and Mike! I really do pray that God will provide them with everything they could possibly need.  Welcome to the world Arielle! You already have your very own fan club!

pick me up

Do you ever have those days, moments, weeks, when you could just use a real "pick me up"? Well today is definitely one of those days...  Jeremy threw out his back this morning.  He has been in a lot of pain and couldn't go to work.  I would see it as a celebration but he sees it as a royal pain in the butt!  Then on top of that, I got some very disappointing news and have been feeling low every since (no dets on-line..).  So this afternoon Jeremy and I will treat ourselves to a little "pick me up"...

We will indulge in our usual pick me up... Sushi! NOM NOM NOM!

Praying for a more encouraging, uplifting, joy filled day tomorrow.

Summer nights

I am so thankful for summer nights-  Things always seem to slow down a bit in the summer, and I always enjoy the change of pace.  There is something so special about a summer night, especially when you are sharing it with people you love.

Last night I got to enjoy yet another summer night with people I love.  We sat on the waters edge at the Salem Willows enjoying each others company, firing up the grill, sharing laughs.  Later in the evening we ventured over the the heart of the willows; the arcade.  We changed in our dollar bills for quarters and enjoyed some of the same games we enjoyed when we were ten years younger.  Being a Salem native I have always loved the Willows, even as a young girl.  Yet I have to say, it's one hundred times better when you are with people you love.

So it's been a while...

Please forgive me- it's been a while! Things in the Puz household have been very busy.  This summer we have embarked on many new journeys- 

Our baby puppy Moose is no longer a baby, but a rambunctious teenager.  

We spent two weeks in the country of India, learning about the culture, people, ourselves and God.  

We celebrated our one year anniversary in Keene NH.  

We have also been spending quality time with our friends and family.  

It has been a fun packed summer, and I promise I will try to do a better job with keeping this thing updated.. but as for now, I hope these pictures will do!

Growth

I thought I would take this time to write an update about the current events in my life, well primarily just our upcoming trip to India.

One biggest thing going on in me and Jeremy's life is this trip to India.  Not just for the mere fact that we will be traveling to the other side of the world to spend two weeks in a place we have never been before, but because of the journey we have been on since we have said "yes" to going.  It has been such a roller coaster.  I remember my first reaction when I heard we were going to be going to India for our over seas missions trip.  It was something like this "Oh my gosh AWESOME.... OH NO, NO WAY AM I GOING... But wait, how many people can say they've been to India before?!... OH NO NO NO I'm NOT going.... Okay, YES I am going... NO NO NO.. Okay fine God, I'll go if you really want me there."  I'm pretty sure my head was about to explode when we first found out we were going. 

Now, I feel very confident that we are supposed to go on this trip.  Even so, I have struggled with doubts about raising money, getting time off of work, leaving Moose behind while we are gone for two weeks.  It has not been an easy process for me.  Yet during this process I have learned a lot about myself and what God is trying to teach me through this trip (and we haven't even left the States yet!).

I have realized that I am a bit of a control freak.  I need to have everything figured out and perfect for me to feel okay.  I hold onto things so tightly because I'm afraid that if I let go then nothing will ever get done.  I have a hard time trusting, and that included me trusting God.  Now I think I have known this about myself for a very long time but I didn't really see the need to address it until now.  I was literally making myself sick worrying about all the little details of this trip such as money, work, etc.  By me holding everything so tightly and trying to do everything my own way I was limiting God and what He wanted to do if I just relied on Him.

Since then I have really tried my hardest to just let go of control.  Whenever I feel anxious or worried about the little details of this trip I remind myself that I have said yes to God to go on this trip, and he is going to honor my obedience to Him.  It has been really hard though! It is hard for me not to worry about things like raising enough money.  Yet one of the biggest things I have learned so far has been a recent discovery.  God isn't calling us to be perfect right away, it's a process.  Even though I still occasionally worry about how we will raise the money to go, or get anxious about leaving Moose at home, God knows my heart and sees that I truly desire to let go and change.  God is pleased with us when He sees these changes, even when they are only what seems to be small steps.

 God has shown me this week that He is in control and that I'm on this journey with Him to grow and change, not to have everything figured out.  Before when I was trying to do it all myself and wasn't fully relying on God, Jeremy and I raised $0 for our trip- No one responded to any of our support letters and I was feeling really discouraged and annoyed.  Now that I have realized that I can't do it in my own strength and need to let go and let God take control we have gotten donations from 4 or 5 different people! How encouraging! God wanted to show me all along that He is trustworthy and faithful and has my best interest in mind. 

It sure has been an exciting process and I am so excited to be able to take a step back and watch all the awesome things that God is doing.