date night

John and I enjoyed an evening in San Marco Square, a quaint nook of Jacksonville. It has beautiful homes along the river and has this cute little square filled with eateries and shops.
We never pay to see movies in a theatre, but we couldn't resist the historical theatre showing the Kings Speech. The theatre was built in the 40s and serves beer and wine. Certain to be a place we take visitors! So come visit!

Sunday

After a few days in a town so wonderfully hip but not our own and hours of driving around jacksonville homes we can afford but wouldn't dare buy . . . A girl needs the beach: free and in the town she lives!

pit stop

We saw Andalusia, the home of Flannery O'Connor, while driving home. John is a fan of her literature so we took a look. And John bought her complete stories. He is the mysterious literary brooding type these days.

By the way. I LOVE road trips with the hubs. Nothing bakes my biscuits like hours of time next to that man.

breaking the fast

what I miss: local, diverse, delicious breakfast

training

We are in Athens GA for a couple of days of training with The Navigators. Although we are technically in the enemy's territory (being Gators and all) I really like it: the campus, the feel, the hipsters, local eats. And now that I don't live in Gainesville anymore I can say that without shame.
Athens, I'm going to enjoy you and your cute coffee shops and your southern ways for the next few days. And I'm not afraid to spend a few hours at Trader Joe's either.

We got to hold this little treasure box this week while visiting Knoxville. Our friends on staff with Navigators at UT just had another babe. So cute and manly already, the baby too!

John and I are in Knoxville for a few days after he spoke at the UT Navigators meeting.
On our drive up I decided to tackle learning to crochet. John bought me a hook and yarn 12 months ago, and I never really gave it the all american try. My first practice chain and single crochet something or other resulted in what looks like a mustache. I will be really good at this thing if all I have to make resembles facial hair.

I got to spend a half hour walking the beach of jacksonville with a new girl in my bible study. We talked about relationships, her future, what God's teaching me, and summer plans. How is it I am lucky enough to spend my days getting to know college girls and walk with them for as long as they'll let me. Thanks Lord, its by your grace we have this ministry.

This semester I was invited to attend a seven week womens bible study at our church. For those who have never heard of Apples of Gold, its a study designed around the verses in Titus 2, that tell the older women of the church to teach the younger women. The study addresses kindness, loving your husband, loving your children, submission, purity, and hospitality. On top of it all is that each week a full meal is demonstrated and prepared from appetizer to dessert by the older women. Its soooo fun. A cooking show, bible study and a meal all wrapped into one. Tell me a better way to spend a thursday afternoon. Last week they made honeyed pork tenderloin with avocado-mango salsa. These ladies don't mess around. And creme brulee for dessert, helpful, since I failed at that recipe very recently.
I am thankful for these women.