A Traveling Start to 2014

Happy New Year Everyone!  I know I am about 14 days late, but 2014 started off busy and I have been traveling since January 1st.  It feels oh so good to be home.  First we had a wedding in CHarleston, SC, which was absolutely perfect.  Then we traveled to LA and Pasadena to watch the Noles with the national championship, and finally ended my travels with a trip to mart & Scotts in Atlanta. 




It was such an honor to stand next to my best friend since kindergarten at her wedding.  It was a freezing,could have snowed  chilly day, but it was absolutely perfect. 

{peonies are my favorite}

 

 

 

{chalkboard signage for the wedding}

We didnt have a ton of time to explore, but I do have a few recommendations if you are ever in Charleston.  

Virginia's on King is a must if you are looking for good southern food and an inviting atmosphere.  We actually ate here twice, and both times were delicious.    

{virgina's on king}

{the best grilled cheese and tomato soup}

If you are looking for a good cup of coffee or a chocolate croissant make sure to stop in Kudu Coffee.  They serve Counter Culture coffee.

{a great atmosphere in the courtyard complete with twinkly lights and a fountain}

King Street is known for its shopping, and one of my favorite stores in South of Market.  I discovered SOM several years ago, and try to make a point to stop in if I am in Charleston.  I love their over sized lighting paired with antiques and classic slip covered furniture.  It is way a little out of my price range, but I love to get ideas.    

Happy Tuesday!  I will be back this week with pictures from our other trips.

Africa Here We Come

We are just a few days out from our Africa trip, and a lot goes through your mind when you are preparing for a trip to a third world country...I hope we get there safely, do I have enough baby wipes in case we don't shower the entire time, what will our accommodations be like, should I bring an entire pharmacy in case we contract some weird illness and on and on it goes.  I was reminded a few weeks ago how far I have come in the last few years.  Some of you might have no clue what I am talking about, but in the efforts of "Let's Keep it Real Mondays" I thought I would share something a little more personal today. 

During the last 3 years I have dealt with A LOT of anxiety, fear and worry.  It spiraled out of control to the point that I could barely drive by myself, because I was afraid I would pass out.  The Lord has brought me through all of that with prayers from so many, scriptures, a very supportive husband/family and some healthy decisions like supplements and detoxing.  (Did you know that stress and anxiety will make you physically sick?)  So now you see that a trip to Africa is completely stepping out in faith.  No control, no security, and no toilets!!!  :)

Over the next 14 days I covet your prayers for us, our team and those we will meet in our travels.  A few specific areas of prayer...

• safe and smooth travels for the entire team (I am pretty nervous about all the long flights)
• team unity
• the Lord will strengthen our marriage
• I will be filled with peace and joy, not anxiety or fear
• the Lord will use us to show His love and grace
• We will come home with a true sense of contentment and that ALL of my anxiety will be broken

Thank you for your prayers!  I cannot wait to meet this sweet little face. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw the crazy amount of pink goodies we got her.  Have you ever shopped for someone who has virtually nothing?  Let me tell you, it is hard!  I wanted to buy everything, but at the same time I wanted the gifts to be useful and interactive.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

We have a little girl...

Now don't get too excited.  I'm not pregnant, but I want you to meet our little girl Zuwena....

She is our Compassion child that we sponsor from Uganda and we get to meet her in October!!!!!!!!! We are so thrilled, and I can't help but think about how this is going to change our life.    

Michael and I have always talked about going on a mission trip together and this past October we began discussing where and when we would go.  We both felt like we needed a year’s time to prepare and pray about where the Lord wanted us to go.  A few days later I (JuliAnne) told Michael that I felt like I needed to go somewhere that would really stretch me.  In the back of my mind I was thinking Africa, but I was a little scared to say it at the time.  Michael immediately responded, “I was thinking Africa.”  A month or so later the mission trip schedule came out for our church, and they announced that there would be a trip to Uganda in October 2013; exactly one year from when we said we would like to go.  Isn’t it funny how the Lord makes things so clear?  He made things even more clear a few days after we signed up for the trip when a friend felt led to mail us a check.  She had no idea that we were even thinking about going on the trip.  The Lord has used her as a daily reminder that the He has called us on this trip. 

We will be traveling from October 9-19 which happens to fall on our 3 year anniversary. :) Our group will be traveling with Compassion International to several villages in Uganda that the Church of Eleven 22 helps sponsor, giving us an opportunity to build and cultivate relationships.  We are most excited about meeting Zuwena.  We have all sorts of excitement when we think about actually getting to hug and love on a little girl that we’ve only seen in pictures.  In addition to meeting Zuwena we will visit our CSP (Child Survival Program), help to build homes made of mud, and do some repairs at the schools.  We also will have an opportunity to visit Okoa Refuge to work and play with the children and show them the love of Christ!

I am asking for you to partner with Michael and I through prayer and finances.  First and foremost I am asking for you to partner with us in prayer on the following:

•  Safe and easy travels for the entire team.  (I am a little nervous about all of the flying.)
• Continuity between the team.
• As we step outside our comfort zones, our hearts and minds will be transformed and our marriage will be strengthened.
• The Lord will begin to do a work in the hearts of those we will meet and minister to. 

We are also asking that you would ask the Lord if He would have you partner financially.  The total trip cost for the two of us is $9,000-$10,000 with all funds due before August 12^th , with half the amount due June 6^th.  I am slightly nervous about how and where all of this money is going to come from, but I am trusting the Lord will provide.  

There are 2 ways that you can give towards our trip:

• Electronically at this link:  https://coe22.ccbchurch.com/w_form_response.php?form_id=262

• By Check: Checks made payable to The Church of Eleven22 with the following written on the comment line: Uganda, Michael & JuliAnne Kelly and mailed to:

The Church of Eleven22
Attn: Carol Gilham
14286 Beach Boulevard, Suite 2
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250

 Note: All payments made out to COE22 are tax deductible and non-refundable.

If you made it all the way to the bottom of this post (I know it was a long one) thank-you for partnering with us.  Your prayers and support mean more than you know! 

A Weekend Trip: Part 2

On the second part of our weekend trip we ventured to Memphis, TN and Oxford, MS.  Michael has always wanted to experience The Grove tailgating experience at Ole Miss and I must say, these people know how to tailgate.  The Grove goes on forever, the tents are outfitted with custom curtains, chandeliers, professional flower arrangements, lace table cloths, silver serving dishes and pinterest inspired decor.  Someone could make a killing creating custom tailgate decor for Ole Miss fans.  Here are just a few pictures I snapped.

{silver & candlesticks}

{custom chevron curtains for a pop-up tent}

{Beautiful tablecloth & matching lamps}

{a peek at the grove} 

{adorable burlap pennant sign}

{in the grove}

We stayed in Memphis over the weekend and experienced Beal Street and some amazing BBQ at Central BBQ.  If you are ever in Memphis I highly recommend it.  

{delicious food} 

{fun tie-dye cups} 

{exploring Memphis with our friends JP & Caroline}

Happy Hump Day!

Professional Traveler

I have decided my new occupation should be professional traveler.  Since my last post I spent 8 days in the beautiful Florida Keys, a long weekend in Nashville, TN with some of our dear friends and a few days at a friend's beach house in Crescent Beach.  We have been moved in our house for almost a month, and just yesterday three of our neighbors asked if we were officially moved in.  We have been gone more than we have been home, and while I love to travel it feels good to be home.

We had the most perfect weather while we were in the keys, and mini season lobstering was more successful that it has been in a while.  We have been lobstering since I can remember, and it is something our family looks forward to every year.  We were especially grateful to be down with the whole family, because we were not able to make it last year since my mom was just getting out of the hospital.  While we were in the Keys I celebrated my 24th birthday, and my parents celebrated 30 years of marriage!!

{The rainbow crew & our catch on day 1}

{Siblings all together on my birthday}

{Its always hard to leave on a perfect day}

We made our way to Nashville two days after we returned from the Keys to meet up with some of our best friends.  The four guys grew up together, and have not all been together in over two years.  This was my first trip to Nashville and I loved it!!  We cannot wait to plan our next trip back.

{In Nashville at the legendary Bluebird Cafe}

As for the house things are coming along and we are checking things off our list.  All of our bathrooms and kitchen appliances are working, so now it is just a bunch of little stuff.  We started working in the yard on Saturday, and things are starting to shape up.  I snapped a few pictures before we left for the Keys in July, but I cannot find them anywhere on my computer, so I will have an update in the next day or two. :)