It Is Finished!

In December something big happened. Something that changed not only the relationship dynamics of our marriage, but also just how our everyday lives ran. Since December we have been searching for our new normal. It may be a while until we find it, but in the meantime we are taking each day as a new opportunity and living life to the fullest. 

So what happened you may ask? Well, I finally finished being a student! This past December I handed in my final papers and submitted my edited thesis paper. And just like that, I was donned the title of Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University School of Divinity. And while I don't consider myself a "master", I do feel like I am geared up and ready for whatever life hands us next. Ministry is a continuous learning process and I am very grateful for everything that Wake Div has given me during my time there. And while I don't get to technically walk across the stage until May (Wake Forest is too small to have two commencement ceremonies) I still have my diploma in my possession and have officially been voted in as a graduate by the faculty and staff of the divinity school. 

Some of our friends and family have been curious about what marriage and ministry and school all looked like together, as well as what our future plans are, and what I am doing currently since graduation in December. So I thought I would use this blog post to answer some of those questions! 

How were you able to graduate in December?

A lot of people find it odd that I was able to graduate from a three year professional graduate program in two and a half years. People ask if I brought in credit from a previous school or if I did not put in the same amount of effort as some other students. I in fact did not do either of those things. I just used old fashion determination and hard work! Each semester I decided to take on an extra class. It is recommended that students take on average 14 credit hours in order to graduate on time. I took on average between 15-18 hours each semester. These classes were a mix of in class, hybrid, and weekend classes. Then in the summer I also took an extra class. It took effort to schedule and to do my work in the midst of personal relationships, extra curricular activities, and internships. I am not saying it was easy all of the time. In fact there were some periods where it was downright stressful. However I would do it the exact same way if I had the chance to do it all again. I feel like early graduation was the right choice for me and my current life plan. 

How did you make time for your marriage in the midst of graduate school? 

Y'all, this was tough sometimes. My first semester of graduate school consisted of a long distance relationship. However during the second semester I was engaged! I then spent the next year planning a wedding, working two part time jobs, competing an internship, and taking 17 hours of classes. Chase was oh so supportive. He would surprise me with treats, call me in the mornings to make sure I was up early to do homework, and even help me study for my exams. He knows how much this means to me and he has been the perfect spouse. Of course there were times when we were both tired and upset at one another. That is when I am thankful that we live in a 900 square foot apartment. It forced us to talk things out and to come to compromises. We made vows to one another to be there for one another through thick and thin, and that is exactly what we did. I feel like living on love (and one income) this past year of marriage has made our love even stronger. He is my sidekick and I am glad that I was able to have Chase as my spouse and encourager during my time in graduate school. 

How did you celebrate finishing school? 

I jumped up and down. Chase high-fived me. We took Luna on a walk. I called my parents. And of course we documented the occasion on social media. The night I submitted my final thesis project Chase took me out to a fancy dinner. We went to a place I always wanted to try but knew was way to expansive. However this was an occasion that would never happen again. We splurged. We filled our bellies, and we laughed. It was wonderful and perfect and everything in between. 

Do you have a job? 

Well that is a tricky question. Technically I do have a job. I am currently a church preschool assistant teacher. I work with the toddlers and I LOVE every single minute of it. It is the job I have been working since I began graduate school. Even though I love my current position, I also am looking for jobs that I can use my degree for. I am currently applying for chaplaincy residency positions. I should hopefully know in the next few weeks if that is the plan that God has designed for our family. I know that the possibility is there that I might not be hired. If that is the case there will be disappointment, but I am content. I will be ready to move forward and look for something different. Hopefully something that will fill our lives with happiness and joy. I am open, I am waiting, and I am ready to go when I am called. If I do get hired as a chaplain resident I will start that job in late August. It is a year long intensive job that will ready me for board certification as a chaplain, as well as give me more experience before I begin applying for long-term jobs. Please keep us in your prayers through these next few weeks as our futures will be decided in these days. 

Is it odd to no longer be in school? 

It is very strange to no longer be a student. I have too much free time on my hands and I have trouble deciding how to fill it. I am currently trying to find a hobby that I love. I am sure that in the next few months a rhythm will develop and things will become easier. In the meantime if you would like cookies or cupcakes just let me know. I seem to find myself either in the kitchen or binge watching Netflix. 

How has your relationship with Chase changed since this life transition? 

Even though our marriage was great during my time as a graduate student, it has gotten even better since my graduation. We just celebrated our one year wedding anniversary and were able to take a trip to DC for a few days. Our evenings are no longer filled with my homework. Instead we are able to play games, go out with friends, have spontaneous date nights, and do projects with one another. We are excited to see what life looks like in the coming months. We are ready to settle down and find a normal for the two of us. We are excited and ready for this next step! 

Time is flying by and I am so ready to start life as a minister in some sort of capacity. We feel so loved by our family and friends during this time. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to walk through this transitional period. We are confident that we will be called to do what is meant for us to do! 

P.S. Check out the new pictures that we had taken of us for our one year anniversary. Our photographer Ang from Snap by Ang in West Jefferson is simply amazing. She has been with us from engagement, to marriage, and now to our first anniversary. We are so happy to have these new memories. 

-S&C 

Many Hands Make A Minister

I have no excuses for my lack of blog posting recently except that I have been binge watching too much One Tree Hill on Netflix, spending more time cuddling with the puppy on the couch, baking too many yummy things in the kitchen, working five days a week at a preschool, and getting lost in the latest Nicholas Sparks novel. I promise that I will write more than one life update a month. I really do promise. There are too many awesome things happening to not write.

Speaking of awesome things, I have to play catch up for a hot second. There are some life milestones that were reached back in late 2015! In particular I had the humbling opportunity to be ordained by my home church in the mountains of NC into Baptist ministry.

As many of y'all know I just recently graduated from Wake Forest University School of Divinity (another post on that coming up in the next few days!). Going into graduate school I was not sure if I wanted to pursue ordination into Christian ministry. I knew that I had a heart for ministry, and for hospital chaplaincy, but I was not sure how ordination fit into that picture. Well as the weeks and months and years wore on my spirit yearned more and more towards the call of ordination into Baptist ministry. I spoke to my close friends and mentors about this big decision and I was met with nothing but support and encouragement. I then began to speak with my home church pastor about possibly being ordained in my home church. For it was my home church that fostered my love of ministry from a small child and continue to love and encourage me in my ministry career. I love my home church and I was so happy to be able to move forward with the ordination process with them.

The ordination process seemed like a long time of discerning and questioning both inwardly and outwardly. I was so anxious and excited about being able to be an official minister to those around me in my community and potentially around the world. The process was a time for me to really reflect on my theology and gain guidance from my council on how to be an even better carrier of the Christian values that I hold so dear to my heart. The ordination process was also a time for me to stretch my liturgical wings. I was given the freedom to design my own ordination worship service for a day in mid-October of this past year. It was such a sweet and special time that I will truly never ever forget. Another special part of my ordination was that I would be the first female to be ordained in my home church. This church had just celebrated its 100th birthday, so I considered myself honored to be given the blessing to be ordained under such circumstances. I am grateful for the opportunities and love that my home congregation shows me.

The one part of my ordination service that I saw as the most special was the time in the service where the congregation came up to me one by one to pray over me or to offer me a word of blessing and encouragement. While planning this part of the worship service I was a bit apprehensive. Did I want this as part of my service? Did I want one large congregational prayer instead? One member of my council gave me a bit of a nudge to just go for it. That it was a special time in her ordination, and that I would always remember that sacred time in the midst of such a special day. She was absolutely right. As each member approached me I was flooded with memories of how they impacted me as a growing minister. My family, my friends old and new, my Sunday School teachers, my mentors. They all laid their hand on me and propelled me forward into a life of ministry that I know that I am called into. those many hands placed on my head, shoulders, and hands were what made me a minister that day. Sure I gave my vows to the church. Of course I accepted my robe and stole from the ordination council. Without a doubt I have calling in my heart for this life. However without those many hands none of that would matter. For every member of Christ's church is a minister in the world. And the hands of those members are what makes me a minister of the Baptist faith. I am forever grateful for their love and support.

 Chase has been such a supportive spouse throughout this entire process. He cheers me on in whatever I choose to do and I am lucky to have a husband like him. It takes a special man to be the preacher's husband. 

 I would not have been the woman I am today without my Mom and Dad. When I decided to go to Divinity School after four years of undergrad in a scientific/medical background they were the first ones to jump behind me in support. I love how they love me and I strive to be like them each and every day. 

Preparing to take my vows of ordination to the Baptist Church. Such a sweet moment. 

Oh those many hands! I am a lucky person to have so many people in my corner. 

More hands, more memories, more moments that I will never forget. 

Preparing to serve my first communion as a Baptist minister!

The staff of my home church in the mountains of NC. They are simply the best. 

With Love,

S&C

Her First Fall

Yes, I know Christmas is a week away. However I technically have three more days until the first day of winter, and its been in the upper 60's this past week, so I am still feeling in the fall spirit. I wanted to update y'all on our little fur baby. After all, this has been the first fall of her life. Oh what fun we have been having sharing in some fall family fun with our Luna bug!

First of all, Luna is now 11 months old. She has grown so much and is really starting to show her diva personality. She is taking training classes in hopes of becoming a therapy dog. She is still a bit crazy, but we feel confident that with time and practice she will reach her goal. At home you can normally find her either laying on our feet, snuggled next to us on the couch, chewing on her favorite toy, or trying to figure out how to get the kitchen towels without us knowing. When we go out and about she loves to tag along. In the car she loves to look out the window until she falls asleep, and she loves to meet new people in town. She is still working on the "no-jumping" skill, but she is getting better with each passing day. She sure keeps us on our toes, but makes us laugh every single day.

This fall we have done a lot of traveling. We have gone to football games, to different hiking trails, and to our parent's homes in the mountains. The cooler air has given new life to this little lady. She loves being outside and running around. The crunch leaves blowing in the wind has created hours of fun for her and gives us the giggles. When we go for walks she insists to bring a leaf inside with her as a treasure of sorts. Our leaf pile on the porch has grown. Her collie instincts are awesome and we love having her around. We cannot wait until next month when we will celebrate Luna's first birthday. It is hard to believe that she has only been in our lives for nine months. It seems like so much longer. We love being her puppy parents and we are so glad that she has found her forever home with us. Thank you Luna for being so wonderful!

We cannot wait for the temps to get even cooler, and for the white stuff to start falling. I am sure that she (and we) are going to love her first winter as a Smith dog. In the meantime, please enjoy some sappy family pictures and Luna selfies!! Happy last few days of fall y'all.

- S&C 

Happy Fall Y'all!

About two weeks ago Chase and I realized that our city was being hit by the fall bug. The fair was in town, the leaves were changing, their was a slight chill in the air, and all of a sudden boots and scarves were EVERYWHERE on the college campus where I am finishing up my masters degree. Yesterday I walked outside with Luna pup and I saw this sight. Yep, fall is here. 

I have always had mixed feelings about fall. I LOVE the colors, the weather, and that it means that the holidays are coming. What I dislike about fall is that it means that cold weather is on the horizon. I am always cold. My feet are always under a blanket or in fuzzy socks even in the summer. So when the winter rolls around that means that you will find me under a mountain of sweatshirts and blankets, while Chase (who is always burning up) will be hanging out in shorts and a tee shirt. 

Even though fall means cold weather, I sill am basking in this new season. A couple of weeks ago Chase and I decided that we wanted to decorate our little apartment for fall. However being on a tight budget, and living in a small space, we did not exactly know how to go about it. I hit google and Pinterest, and decided to stay cheap, and to stay small. We ended up using some things we had around the apartment and then getting some cute extras at the Dollar Tree. 

Yes...I said we shopped for our fall decorations at the Dollar Tree. In all we spent 17 dollars and I was quite satisfied with the outcome. The Dollar Tree is a great resource for smaller holiday decorations. I recommend going and at least checking it out. They might have something that you are looking for. 

We moved our tiny chalkboard out of the kitchen and wrote our favorite fall saying on it. Welcome to the south, where every group of people is referred to as "y'all". We then sprinkled some fake leaves around. 

We also changed out fruit basket from a bright yellow one, to a see through orange one. We added some small plastic pumpkins and some more leaves.

In the kitchen we added some fall decretive towels (only a dollar each!). And then we also found this cute mat. It was too light weight to leave outside in the wind and elements, but it fit perfectly in our little kitchen.

In our entryway we added some more leaves to our little nook, and then added a basket where we could drop our keys and such as we come in each day. It is a great pop of color, and I just love it.

In the living room we changed out some existing decorations for a more fall colored palate. The flower pot replaced a pot that had green foliage in it, and the center planter used to be filled with white and tan filler, but is now filled with pumpkins and pine cones. And look at that cute little pup. She follows us around on our heels wherever we go, so of course she just had to jump into a picture.

On our side table we repurposed a door hanger that we found and used it as a table decoration. It is a great reminder to always be thankful for our lives each and every day.

And as for the coffee table, I switched out our coffee bean and candle decorations for some more leaves, and then some other candles that we had sitting around the apartment. Good thing we love fall colored candles. Our little place smells so good every evening when we light them.

I think my favorite place is our mantle. It is a fake mantle that has been mounted on the wall, and I love the charm that it adds to our apartment. I loved decorating it for christmas last year, and then this year decorating it for fall was just as fun! Some more leaves, a cute scarecrow, and some porcelain pumpkins turned our travel mantle into a fall festival!

Finally, we hung a wreath on our door. Yes, it is my Christmas wreath, but with some creative DIY, it was turned into a fall wreath.

We used fall ribbon, and some leaves that had wire in their stems.

What are your favorite ways to decorate for fall around your house? Does your family have any fun fall traditions. We are trying to come up with some fun things to do that hopefully we can turn into traditions for years to come.

Until next time, Happy Fall Y'all!!!

S&C

my dear sweet husband

My dear sweet husband,

Right now you are going on your 12th hour of work for the day. You left this morning as the sun was just peeking over the horizon, and you will most likely fall into bed tonight just hours before the sun makes its scheduled return. Yet without fail, you will wake up in time to feed the dog and make sure I have everything that I need before heading off to work and school. Then you yourself will go back to work and pretend that you are not tired.

But I know that you are. I know that nights like tonight when large projects are due at your company, that you will keep your head up and fight through the weariness in order to make your work the best that it possibly can be. You will put in as many hours as it takes to meet your deadlines and to show your colleagues that you can be a trusted partner in the business. I know that you don't want to be at work so late. I know that you would much rather be home with me and our puppy watching sports and laughing with one another. I wish you were home too, but I understand.

That is just who you are my dear husband. You are a man who has the work ethic of ten men. You are a husband who makes sure that he can provide for his family so that I, your wife can pursue my own dreams of a master's degree and a life in ministry. You are a life partner who makes sure that even though you are away that I am okay and that I do not go to bed angry or feeling alone. You make life better my sweet husband and I am so honored to do life together with you.

So just know that your hard work has not gone unrecognized. Know that when you are feeling tired or ready to give up, that I am just a phone call away ready to cheer you on; just like you cheer me on in times of weariness and stress. Understand that I love you beyond anything else in this world. You rock sweetheart!

With all the compassion of my heart,

Your Wife

6 months of... Wedded Bliss? Lessons In Love? Hard Work?

Today is August 7, 2015. Six months ago Chase and I committed our lives to one another. We can honestly say that February 7, 2015 was the best day of our lives thus far. It seems as if the weeks and months have flown right by. In Sunday school last week we had an exercise where we had to finish the sentence, "It is August and...". Chase filled in the sentence with, "It is August, and we have already been married for 6 whole months!" It hit me right then that this life of love really does go by in the blink of an eye. 

Don't get me wrong, marriage is hard work. Sure there are plenty of moments of wedded bliss, but there are also moments of heartache, anger, and frustration. Through it all we have learned so many lessons about loving one another and just how much time and energy it takes to fulfill our vows to one another. 

Today in the blog we wanted to share some things we both have learned during these past 6 months of being husband and wife. I asked Chase to write down six things, and I also wrote down six things, without sharing them with one another. Our answers surprised us, made us laugh, and made us realize that having one another as a spouse is a dream come true. Hopefully our joys and missteps can be a blessing to others who are married, or who are on the journey to being married. 

Chase's List:

1. Communication is a biggy. Always talk to one another about everything. 
2. Even just an "I Love You" can make a difference in each other's day. Say it often and say it like you mean it. 
3. Sara and I have more in common than we thought. 
4. Sara and I have our own way of doing things. It is a learning process for sure, but its a great thing that we can still be our own people. 
5. Making Sara happy is the most important thing to me. 
6. Time sure does fly when you are having fun. Six months already!!!!!

Sara's List:

1. It is important to continue dating your spouse once you are married. Date nights with Chase after a long week of work and school are always something to look forward to. 
2. Don't sweat the small stuff. So there are shoes all over the entry way, Chase leaves his dishes in the sink sometimes. It is not worth an argument. 
3. I am a needy spouse. I am thankful that Chase still loves me through all of my wants and requests. He really is a great partner. 
4. Living on basically one income while I am still in graduate school has made our marriage even more complicated than normal. However, I would not trade our lives in a heart beat. A small income and late nights of homework have allowed us to grow closer to one another and really discover what true love is. Money is not important in the grand scheme of things. 
5. These past six months of marriage have been filled with new experiences and challenges. I cannot wait to see what these next six months have in store for us!! 

We are more than ready to continue our marriage journey with one another. We thank God daily for the blessings in our lives. Cheers to the past 6 months and to our road ahead. May it be filled with wedded bliss, lessons in love, and more hard work. 

- S&C 

Cast Iron Lovin'

A few months ago Chase and I were given a late wedding gift. Side note...late wedding gifts are awesome. They remind you of your wedding day and bring an air of excitement to the atmosphere. When we opened the box we were utterly surprised to see that it was a large cast iron skillet. The ironic part about this gift was not two days earlier I was complaining to Chase how we should have put a cast iron skillet on our wedding registry. I had seen a few people get one and I was feeling some cast iron envy.

We jumped into some online research as to how to go about prepping our skillet for use. There are so many different suggestions and blogs out in the google-sphere that it was kind of overwhelming. However we came to a consensus and went about making our skillet fit for cooking.  

First pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. This seemed to be the middle rang temperature from all of the blogs that I read. Hot enough to open the pores of the iron, but not too hot to where it takes the skillet forever to cool. 

Then scrub down your skillet very well with soap and water. This is the only time that you will be able to scrub your cast iron with soap to get all of the dust and dirt out of the pores before it is sealed in the oven. I just used plain Dawn dish soap and it seemed to work just fine.

Then you have to find yourself a pan large enough that your skillet will fit on. Chase and I have a large pizza pan that was nearly big enough, but it worked just fine for our purposes. Cover your pan in foil so it won't get scratched or burned.

 Then wipe down your cast iron skillet really well. You don't want the heat to rust your skillet. I just used a plain paper towel and it worked great. Then take some oil (of your choice) and rub down the skillet. Don't over oil it to where it is dripping wet, but oil it enough to where the cast iron is shiny and moist. I also used a plain paper towel for this part.

Then place your skillet face down on your foil covered pan. Get as much of your skillet on the pan as possible so oil does not drip down into the bottom of your oven. This could cause your oven to smoke or even to catch on fire.

Then place the pan on the center rack of your oven. This will allow for maximum heat absorption and  oil seal.

Next, cook your skillet for one hour. Take out your skillet and let it cool completely before using it.

And last but not least, cook something yummy!!! The first thing we used our skillet for was for BACON. Because lets face it, what is better than bacon. 

What are some of your favorite cast iron skillet recipes? Chase and I would love to hear some suggestions. 

- S & C