almond butter

Totally worth its $4 weight. Delicious. Sounds healthy with that flax and omega talk. And its not too hard to stir, being natural and all. All I need now is a TJ nearby.

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.

John and I have the honor of leading a workshop on godly relationships for college students this weekend at our annual spring conference.
We have been working on it for the past few weeks and are refining it now, over much coffee.
Would you pray with us for the weekend? We desire that students from all over Florida and Valdosta State will have open hearts, and be hearers and doers of God's word.

Just got to pick three kinds of citrus in a friends backyard. John and I have decided to ask God for a house with citrus trees!

congrats

our friends Ben and Caryn were wed yesterday!  Caryn is our friend from Colorado State University and joined Navigator staff the same year John did!  Ben is our friend from the University of Florida Navigator ministry.  They met in the most unlikely of places, Branson Missouri!  Yesterday they made it official and their wedding was beautiful (not to mention filled with some of my favorite people)

 Nikki, Emily and I.  I refashioned one of my mothers old dresses and wore it to the wedding.  I will have to get a full-bodied pic to show later.

who we like to call carynjamin!

and it helps living closest to the wedding, we were picked to take home some wedding cake.  Yum! 

a last minute craft

As I was taking down our christmas decorations, sadly, I remembered a small addition I made to our bedroom in December.  Before, we had nothing hanging above our bed.

All of the frames were found in thrift stores.  The round ones had these comical pictures in them!

All it took was a bit 'o spray paint and wallah! I can interchange the christmas wreath with holiday appropriate wreaths.  The wall is a faint grey, they would look much better with a darker grey behind them.

Enjoy your weekend, we have guests here for a wedding and I cannot wait!

Enjoyed a last dinner with our friends who are moving to Texas. Its one of the first times we are the ones left, we know well what it feels like to leave. I don't like being left. :(

We will miss our Jacksonville friends.

new

Its a new year, and I am a new age.  26!  It is the first time I feel like my age is more old than young.  I know that most people would scoff at that statement, but I feel it.


My 25th year was different than I expected.  In both great and frustrating ways.  One thing that is true is that I have come near Jesus through His word in ways I have never known before.  I have experienced the power of the scriptures in my life.  Praise God.


I look with anticipation at this next year.  A song lyric from John's favorite band says, "this year is a sealed envelope; with apprehensive hope we brace for anything."  I feel a lot of apprehensive hope for all that lies ahead.  


A verse that sums some of the lessons of the year is psalm 107:9


for he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.


Only my Lord can satisfy me.  Only in Him will I not be found wanting.  And in addition to Himself, He graciously offers good things too.  So I seek to be satisfied by God, and to humbly see the good things he is giving me.


And finally, this morning I read a verse that I want to pray for this year.  Psalm 119:74


those who fear You shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in Your word.


How marvelous it would be if by grace I would hope in God's promises and that it would cause rejoicing!  Well. . .here goes . . .

New Years Eve Day
Started with cinnamon roll breakfast followed by reading and spending time with the Lord by the fire as light snow fell outside in the 2 degree weather.
We made creme brulee lattes for lunch. Because the dessert never turned out and it had enough calories to count as a meal.
This afternoon promises games, reading, and a fajita dinner. A little bubbly will complete our Colorado celebration. Does my happiness revolve around warmth, food and a charming husband or what?

Happy New Year. May you see God's perfect love at work in your life.

Finally. A snow. It snowed in Jacksonville FL before it snowed in Colorado this Christmas. Beautiful. Dangerous. We escaped collision a few times on these roads.

Boeuf Bourguignon from the sister. Delicious. Merci beaucoup.

A sweet gathering of friends.

What did Wednesday in New York hold for us?

Well the only thing I have held today is a bottle of sprite and gatorade. Lets just say I was sick with something that my body was trying to expel any way it could.
So only John left our room today, to get some fluids and eventually a meal for himself at 5pm. John is so wonderful and took great care if me. Apparently we were supposed to stay in today. The statue of liberty and a coffee shop tour in Greenwich Village will have to wait til next time.

ice-skating in central park. Its bitter cold, but so fun. The pic earlier is our accomodations for these days, thanks to Susan.

Dinner @ Spice in Chelsea
We made it, we are rejoicing with curry

Headed to NYC! Don't worry John wont carry me the whole way. (this was last weekend at a friends beach baptism)
Not more importantly, I can now blog from my phone, which will be better than waiting to upload the sounds and sights of the city.

stay tuned . . .

for upcoming big apple adventures!

"the hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets before we reach the heavenly fields or walk the golden streets"


from an Isaac Watts hymn

weekend

 . . . falling in love with homemade salted caramel hot chocolate (from starbucks)

 . . . a beach baptism of dear college student friends

 . . . getting the husband new digs for christmas festivities

 . . . cooking my first pot pie, and eating it so fast, the recipe here, from the Pioneer Woman

 . . . making the easiest crust for the pot pie, recipe here, from the Pioneer Woman

 . . . watching Elf with the man.

 . . . enjoying time with the Lord and snuggling at home as it gets chilly outside.

time of thanks

I didn't start taking photos until after our wonderful meal and dessert, after decorating our house full of Christmas cheer, after a beautiful wedding on the river, but not before our night of wonder at the river downtown.  We watched tons of boats decorated with lights float by us as the competed in the Parade of Lights.  It was more fun than we expected.  It was perfect to experience it with  David and Pamela!

This boat was one of this crowds favorites, its a live manger scene!

After the show we had to warm up at Starbucks.  David introduced us to the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, and I am pretty sure our lives were changed. 

We also decorated gingerbread men and women.  Mine was adorned with buttons and red finger nails!  And big white bow too

Merry Christmas!

man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord  

Feast on His word today friends.  Happy Thanksgiving

the earth is satisfied with the fruit of HIS work.  psalm 104

saturday trip upstate

saturday started as it usually does in this Teten home with John making me breakfast.  I know, what a deal  right?  

We also very spontaneously decided to go for a walk.  At first we were going to walk on Hugenot beach, which we have never been to before.  That turned into driving a little further to Little Talbot Island State Park.  Once there we figured we might as well see what Amelia Island is like . . . which is so close to Fernandina Beach we just kept going.  Our initial plan was to hike or walk along a beach.  But we never made it to those trails.  We did stop at the sweetest little town of Fernandina Beach and we walked around the antique shops and farmers market.  We had our pick of outdoor cafes for lunch and enjoyed perfect 70 degree weather.  

Then we stumbled upon none other than the International Petanque Tournament!  What is petanque you say?  All we saw was men and women, young and old, American and international alike throwing silver balls around on the dirt!  Ha, the things you learn and see when you leave home on a saturday.

North Florida is just beautiful, and we are thankful to be here.  We listened to M. Ward on our ride home through spanish moss- covered trees, over bridges and winding roads.  

our mocs waiting for us for after church!

you betcha

you better believe it is finally moccasin weather in florida.

the hubs has a blog!

My handsome husband has started a blog.  I join him in working among college students.  We have the privilege of sharing Christ with students at the University of North Florida and his new blog shares short glimpses of our lives advancing the gospel on campus!  I cannot wait to see in type what I see in person every day.  Join us by reading what's going on.  His blog is on the list to the right.

in an effort to enjoy life and our youthfulness and flexibility . . .

we are going to New York City in December!

I have never been to the big apple.  But what better time than at Christmas in all its glory.  So this will be the substance of my dreams for the next few weeks.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Times Square

Central Park

Ice Skating in Central Park

and walking that magical place with my husband, bundled up!

lately I am enjoying . . .

  the pretense of fall with pumpkin spiced _________ (anything)
  the world of sewing opportunities (a dress and belts for a friend's
           wedding on the horizon)
  dreaming of fall and winter plans, events, decorations, travel,
           gifts and meals.
  my husband (he is so handsome, I love how he looks in
           cool weather clothes)
  the women's bible study at my church (I am not used to
           being the youngest at bible study)
  pursuing friendships (post-college is weird)
  taking a deep sigh and enjoying this season for its blessings

I hope you have a running list of what you are enjoying, big and small.

slideshow booth

John and I recently sent out a magnet to our donors that looked like the printout from a photo booth. 

We had fun making it, and we had not so much fun making it.  But I loved flipping through them fast on our camera and tried to recreate the effect for everyone else's viewing pleasure.  

all I can say is that it has been busy, and while I have a few sewing projects I wish I could do and blog about, magazines I want to read, books I want to finish, things I want to share . . . it just is not going to happen.  Sorry friends!  Soon I hope to be more interesting.

Eric came to Jax!

My brother-in-law came out for a few days.  He is in the process of interviewing for P.A. schools across the country.  Lucky for us he applied and got an interview at NOVA in Jacksonville.  How wonderful would it be if he and my sister would move here!  John and I haven't lived near family since we got married.  

As soon as we picked him up we went straight to the beach to stick our piggies in the sand.  We got some southern BBQ once he was done interviewing and then spent today touring the city a bit.

we tried out the Riverside Arts Market in one of our favorite parts of the city.  It is held under a bridge right next to the St. John's river so it is beautiful and breezy!  

we also tried out the Cool Moose Cafe.  its a breakfast stop in Riverside that we loved.  It is cute and little and is pretty hipster, so I used my hipstamatic to capture the moment.  And can you believe it?  I CHOSE cheesy grits as a side.  This would NOT have happened a few years ago.  But my husband and the south taught me a valuable lesson, a tasty lesson.

You can leave Eric, but only long enough to get April in Arizona and come back to live!  We had such a fun time.