Oceanside

This weekend, Kyle and I went to the coast of California and stayed at this little cottage that looked out to the ocean.  We were able to eat Chik-fil-a and watch a whole school of dolphins play in the waves.

Chik-Fil-A, Ordered 3 chicken sandwiches, 2 chicken nuggets and 4 waffle fries

Outside our little house

With nothing in our way from our back porch to the water except the sand, we sat and watched the tide come in.  Something we talked about was the power of the moon.  How the moon is able to create low tide and high tide, and disrupt the power of Earth's gravity to accelerate the water towards itself.  The funny thing about the moon is it seems magnificent until it's compared to the sun.  The only reason the moon even gives out light is because of its reflection off the sun's rays.  I was thinking about this today while going through some tough things this week.  Suffering and pain, like the moon, seems powerful and unstoppable, until it's compared to the power of the sun/Son.  My friend sent me a few quotes that have been comfort to my soul.

 "God didn't bring us this far and then forget our names. He knows what we don't understand and understands what we don't know" - Bob Goff

"His love is deepest in deepest waters. "When you pass through the waters, *I will be with you*" Isa. 43:2"- Ann Voskamp

"Every mountain that every Christian ever faces, the Lord levels with sufficient grace. He will provide." -Ann Voskamp

"God's comfort always outweighs our suffering. (2 Cor. 1:3-5)" David Platt

"Good news: the King who is sovereign over suffering is also familiar with suffering. (Heb. 2:17-18)" David Platt

"Faith never denies the reality of our experience. Faith believes in & calls upon the one who is greater than the reality of our experience." Christine Caine

"When we've been bruised, broken, crushed, wounded or shattered, oil is produced that can be poured out to bring healing! Anointing has a price" Christine Caine

"God only allows pain if He’s allowing something new to be born." - Ann Voskamp

"You pull in your life and you see that though you felt ripped open -- the net actually didn’t tear." Ann Voskamp

I have started writing so many post on this blog the last year.  Post about marriage, and living in Vegas, post of Paleo recipes I've invented or my experience of training for a half-marathon. I've written about our trip to Boston and our local wedding reception, as well as visits from family and friends!  We have had new jobs and a new house and even traveled around the Caribbean on a cruise ship!  My problem is that I have started writing all these great post, but never got around to making a complete thought or finishing the story.  And because I didn't think the post was not good enough, I just deleted it and went on. I was looking back at some of my post in the past few years and it was great to sit and remember where I was when I wrote those, some internet cafe in Africa or a coffee shop in England, or sit and relive the stories I told.  I realize that this whole blog thing is really more for me and my own memories than anyone else.  It's like a public diary that if passerbyers happen to peak in on than that's cool, but if no one ever reads anything I write, I will have a place to store my thoughts to read back someday.

So, I'm giving this whole blog thing a second try.  Maybe it will have a whole lot of post about nothing, but who cares because no one probably reads it anyways (except for maybe my sister and mom *shout out!*)  So, what am I waiting for....let's finally post this thing!

Note to Self:

 Words of Wisdom I want to pass on to my kids someday....I hope to add to it, as I learn new things and experience new adventures. 

1. There are plenty of ways to enter a pool. The stairs are not one of them!

2. Never cancel dinner plans by text message.

3. If a street performer makes you stop walking, you owe him a dollar. 

 4. When entrusted with a secret, keep it 

5. Don't underestimate free throws in a game of horse 

6. You only get one chance to Notice a new haircut

 7. If you're staying more than one night, unpack 

8. Expect the seat in front of you to recline. Prepare accordingly 

9. Take a vacation from your phone, Internet, tv at least once a year 

10. Don't fill up on bread, no matter how good 

11. A handshake beats an autograph 

12. Never eat lunch at your desk if you can avoid it 

13. Eat lunch with the new kids 

14. It's never too late for an apology

 15. Under no circumstances should you ask a women if she is pregnant 

16. Invest in great luggage 

17. Make time for mom on your birthday, it's her special day too

 18. When opening presents, no one likes a good guesser 

19. Sympathy is a crutch, never fake a limp

 20. Give credit. Take blame

 21. Suck it up every now and then 

22.If you've made your point, stop talking 

23. Admit it when you're wrong 

24. If you offer to help, don't quit until the job is done 

25. Look people in the eyes when you thank them

 26. Know at least one good joke 

27. Know how to cook at least one good meal 

28. Learn to drive a stick shift 

29. It's ok to go to the movies by yourself 

30. Dance with your mom and dad 

31. If you don't understand, ask before its too late 

32. Be patient with airport security. They are just doing their job 

33. Don't be the talker in a movie 

34. Learn to change a tire 

35. Be kind. Everyone has a hard fight ahead of them 

36. An hour with grandparents is an hour well spent 

37. Buy the orange properties in monopoly 

38. You're never too old to need mom and dad

 39. If you decide to wear high heels you are committing to keeping them on and shutting your mouth when the pain comes 

40. Your dance moves might not be the best. But making a fool of yourself is more fun than sitting on the bench alone 

41. Smile at strangers 

42. Make goals 

43. Being old is not dictated by your bedtime

Season of Change.

Something I have noticed from living in England is there are actually 4 distinct seasons. Growing up in West Texas, I could usually only tell that we had moved from Winter to Spring because Hunting season was over and Baseball season was starting, and the only real sign that we were no longer in the summer months was when Football 2-a-days were in full swing.  The weather doesn't change very drastically except when we get the occasional Winter snow storm or the 300 mph winds that leaves dirt in your teeth for 3 years. 

Winter Wonderland in England!

Autumn in England

But England, England is different, England on it's best days has a way of showing off the 4 seasons really well.  Right now it is very obvious that Autumn is here, The trees are all changing to bright red and yellow leaves, the air is crisp, and everything smells like fall (You know the smell, that smell that just makes you want to get a pumpkin spice latte and read a good book in sweatpants or watch Downton Abbey with the girls, Fall is perfect in my opinion) After Autumn of course comes Winter, and the trees are completely bare here, but when the snow falls, it actually looks like a winter wonderland.  This is usually the season where I drink at least 8 cups of hot tea a day, and wear 5 layers of clothes, but who doesn't love a good chance to wear all the clothes you own at once :). Snow fights and tackle football can get out of hand around here, but I've always lived by the rules...scars are like tattoos but with better stories! After winter, it seems suddenly almost over night the trees bloom...yay, it's crazy, they actually bloom.  Spring is here and the flowers grow on the trees and bluebells in the forest, and I almost feel like I have stepped out of a Jane Austen book. Although that whole "April Showers, bring May flowers" Is actually "March, April, May, June, July Showers, Bring flowers," I like to complain about the rain, but on those rare days when the rain stops, England is perfect. I almost (VERY STRONG ALMOST) am thankful for all the rain on those days, because the flowers are incredible! Next, from July-September the sun decides to come out and everything is completely green and fresh, most of the time I get amnesia of what the rain was like because I think to myself, "I never want to leave this place, it's so beautiful!" 

Spring!

It's obvious that each season is completely different, each season has it's distinct and unique feel, each season has it's strength and weakness (except Autumn, Autumn is perfect :)), but when I look back at my time in England I can just remember how each season has always been beautiful in it's own way.

Why do I go on an on about seasons when this post is about change? Well, it's the lesson I have been learning lately.  For the past 4 years, I have been running around the world, living one adventure after the other, experiencing new cultures and eating crazy cuisines!  This season has been incredible, and I think back to everything I have learned during this time about myself, my worldview, and God's unfailing love. 

Before, when I would think about the upcoming changes in my life, it would terrify me, create an overwhelming fear of the unknown, and a sense of dread like I was leaving the adventure and fullness of life I have found overseas behind.  

But now, God has been showing me that just like the 4 seasons are distinctly different, good and beautiful, so it is with this new season I am entering into.  The adventure and living life to the fullness is a choice, and that mindset can follow me into each place.  This new season is going to be good.  This new season will be an adventure like never before.  There is hope in this new season, and when I stop complaining about the rain for a second, I can stop and see how amazing the flowers look!  It's so exciting to know that I'm going into this season with an incredible travel buddy, and I get to marry a guy that makes me "stop and smell the roses" from time to time, and I'm moving to Las Vegas, a place that God is so captivated by and so in love with, and there are people their that need to know that! This season is distinctly different, but beauty will follow.  LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

My New Book!

If my life was a book, then it seems that the next few months of my life, I will be finishing writing the last chapter of one book (probably finishing with the line 'and they all lived happily ever after') and then starting a sequel where 1 or 2 main characters continue on, but everything else is different.  When I do big life changes, it seems that I don't just start a new little chapter with an intro of a new character, but I like to do big Epic changes that require a new book and a lot more ink and paper.  Let me set the plot and storyline for you on my new upcoming "book." The scenary will be completely different, a whole new list of characters will be introduced, and we will get to read more on what goes on inside the "happily ever after" bit.

First, as yall might already know from my last post, I'm GETTING MARRIED WHOO HOOO!! Now, I didn't know that I would be one of those girls that would have so much fun planning a wedding, but I have not stopped flipping through wedding magazines and websites!  Crazy thing is that I have not looked at one wedding dress or cake, but my focus has soley been on making sure the reception is the party of the century.  Kyle made me stop and take a breather after my ideas got outta hand with balloon animals and slip-n-slides and go carts. But come on, who doesn't want a firework display and dancing monkey's in a grand finale production?  My point exactly! I have been looking for a cool barn venue so that all our friends coming from Europe and around the states can have a true Texas experience.  If any of yall know of anything in Midland/Odessa around March or April, please let me know!

So, now that I have a cool fiance, and a cool wedding (with an REALLY cool reception) We have been talking alot about the second big plot changer in the story.

My New Home!

I'm finally moving back to the states for a season!!! This one has been the scariest change for me. I remember before moving overseas, I was nervous of what lies ahead, and all the unknowns were terrifying.  Now, moving back, I'm in the same position, but the roles have been reversed, but I'm ready for the adventure! I will be coming home November 3rd for my fabulous best friend and roommate from College, Brittani Briner's wedding!!! Afterwards Kyle and I will be hanging out in Texas for November.  I even get to go to Thanksgiving at my Grandmother's house for the first time in 3 or 4 years!! I'm so excited about this time in Texas and I hope that we will get to hang out with most of you while we are there!  After November, (drum roll please...) Kyle and I will be moving to LAS VEGAS. Although much of this move has plenty of unknowns, we have been praying about how God wants to use us during this season. Kyle and I will be getting jobs and working, as well as helping with the local YWAM base.  

So let's see where we are in my new story and the changes coming.  New Location...Check.  New Job...check.  New last name...check.  New main characters...check. 

Here is an insert to one of the chapters in the new story that has already come about:

A few weeks ago after we had gotten engaged, we were both at a place where God seemed to be leading us to do many things and putting different passions on our heart, but no concrete direction of moving forward with those things. With one month to go before leaving England, and not seeing how

all these things were going to tie together, we had to learn that God is in control and the words "trust" and "have faith" became really real.  It seems easy to use those words or give that advice to others when outside of the situation, but to feel like you are walking blindly to the next step and trusting

anyways is a completely different thing. We really feel strongly about starting a prayer/healing room in Vegas, God has put Vegas on our hearts, not just the city, but also the people.  It is interesting that the original design of Las Vegas, was a meadow land which when "Las Vegas" is translated it means "fertile land."  We have been praying that the desert that Vegas is known for would be transformed and live up to it's name. 

     With these things on our hearts and no real direction, last week we were introduced to the couple who will be taking a big leadership role within YWAM, Las Vegas over this next season of their lives. Within the first sentences of our conversation, this couple talked about their heart for starting a prayer room in Las Vegas!  The amazing part about meeting these people, is not only that they had the same heart and passions we had, but also, that God was speaking the exact same words to them as He had been to us. They also need worship leaders, and Kyle's main passion and gifting is in leading worship! 

    The more amazing thing about this story is that our paths actually crossed in a bizarre way!  They were not planning on coming to YWAM Harpenden, but their airline lost their guitar.  With the tag on the guitar only saying YWAM, the airport googled YWAM and Harpenden's address was the only one to come up.  They were only here for a brief moment to pick up their guitar, but that moment was God ordained indeed.

Sooo looks like we will be coming home! YAY! A few things you can be thinking about and praying for us in, is to pray and see which part you could play in our ministry as we move to Vegas and begin this prayer room. Whether that means joining our team, helping with worship, coming and visiting, financially supporting, etc... As this is still very young and the vision is pretty big.  Other practical things, we will be looking for a car when we get to Texas.  As we are both coming off of the mission field and being self supported, we are praying for God provision on finding a good car for a relatively cheap price.  So if you know of anyone selling or could be keeping your eyes open for something that would be beautiful!!  Thank you for all your love and support.

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the

life that is waiting for us.” – Joseph Campbell

The Beginning of My Journey to Becoming Mrs. David

First Date in St. Albans

To tell this engagement story properly, I've got to start us at the beginning. A year and a half ago, Mr. Kyle Robert David asked me out on our first official date to a cute English town called St Albans. As we waited for the bus, we sat and took our first pictures together which I have included to the right. As you can tell, it was also the beginning of my endless pursuit of getting just one good picture where Mr. David there is smiling like a normal human...my efforts are usually pointless! I remember being nervous,  anxious about where the day would take us, anticipating when he would hold my hand, and kicking myself for the awkward jokes I would tell. As our first date went on, we visited the St Albans market, got a cup of coffee, then headed to the duck pond. There we sat under a tree that shielded us from the rain, and prayed together about what our relationship could look like! 

Before we got engaged

Now, lets fast forward this little story to September 19, 2012, just a week and a half ago. When again, we sat at the bus stop and took pictures as we waited for the bus to take us to that cute English town of St Albans. (as you can see from the photos there on the left, we are still working on that whole 1...2...3...smile bit!) Things were different this time...this time I was going to St Albans with my best friend. I was going with the person I am most comfortable being myself, the person who knows me better than anyone, and the only awkwardness that remained on this day were when Kyle told some of his fantastic jokes that can only be described as "dad jokes" (sorry to you dads out there that tell hilarious jokes, these aren't the jokes I'm talking about!)  Anyways, although at the time it didn't dawn on me, we actually did the same things as we did on our first date, we went to the market, Kyle bought me daisies, we sat and drank coffee, and talked about life and our hope for the future. We walked hand in hand, flirted, and enjoyed a rare sunny day in England. One of the things Kyle and I like to do is throw the baseball together. As we were playing catch by the duck pond, Kyle launched the ball way over my head. He is usually a pro baseball player, so I was laughing at what a terrible throw he made, not knowing of course he did it on purposes. I ran to go get it, while teasing him on his aim, and when I turned around, he had disappeared! After searching for a few minutes, I found him under that tree from our first date. He was huddled up and I ran to him, thinking I was so clever for finding him, and this little hide-n-seek game was over, with me as the champion, of course :). I was standing and he was kneeling, and he looked at me with eyes that told me exactly what was happening. I started tearing up, thinking "is this really happening??" He said something along the lines of being best friends and wanting to spend the rest of our lives together, and I thought to myself "this is really going to be my best friend forever!" He pulled out a box from his glove, and I said "please don't be joking" He just smiled and said "Dondi Carter, will you marry me?" and showed me the ring that is now mine, and mine forever! Whoo hooo!!! In case yall were sitting there in suspense...I said, "YES!" I'm just so excited that I get the honor of being Dondi David someday! So there it is, the true hollywood story of how my journey towards becoming Mrs. David started. Let the wedding planning begin!

and just in case you didn't really get to see the ring....check it out one more time! I wake up in the morning, check my hand to make sure it's still there and that all this isn't just a dream...Cue the Disney princess music, I know this is all deliciously cheesy rom-com (romantic comedy) material, but come on, I'm a Bride now, I have offically been given permission to say all the cheesy things I want. So, move over Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant....Kyle and I are living in reality and still making the movies jealous whoo hooo! :)

Adios Olympics and Paralympic Games!

With the Olympics and Paralympic Games officially over, I've had a brief moment to think about the blog that I have seemed to neglect over the last month.  I had high hopes of updating this blog every step of the way, give the play by play, adrenaline rushing, live action, on location updates....but in the words of the great and wise Brittany Spears, "opps, I did it again, I played with your heart, got lost in the games...." ok enough of that, for those of you out there reading, I'm sorry I got "lost in the games" and wasn't able to give live coverage, but what I can give is the ESPN/Dondi's top8 Olympic Games Highlight.....


8. Gymnastics All-Around Finals!! That's right people, dream come true!!  The event was completely sold out, and my friend Sidney and I were able to get tickets!!  The adventure behind this story is this random guy we didn't know was called into work, and could no longer use his 2 tickets.  At 12:30pm we were ticketless and at 12:36pm we were on our way to meet a mystery man in a sketchy underground tube station...now folks, this is the part in the story where the ladies usually get kidnapped and Liam Neeson has to show up and show everyone what's up (reference from the movie "Taken") but luckily for me, I was wearing a large "uncle sam" type hat that drew the attention of anyone in a 5 mile radius and had my black belt with me. (maybe it wasn't a martial arts black belt, but it was nice leather one that looked great with my jean skirt) Anywho, we had a great conversation with this random guy that is now our friend and got to see the event of a lifetime!  As you all may remember, that event was incredible and watching it live is so unreal.  Each team is competing at the same time on different apparatuses, so it is fun watching each routine.  When it came down to the last rotation, my heart was about jumping out of my chest, I was so nervous.  The atmosphere was so crazy and I was in awe of everything "WOW, that music is so cool" "The floor is the coolest color of pink ever" "I love the way these seats fold out" "I don't think coke has ever tasted so delicious!" Then when it was time for the medal ceremony....I cried a little! It is amazing to think about how hard the athletes have worked and then get to watch it all pay off right before my eyes...WOW.  So, here is a picture of me in front of the gymnastics floor after everyone had left, we were probably one of the last people to leave because we didn't want it to end! :)

7. Watching the USA Men's Swimming relay team race!  My parents game me some money to go see an olympic event and I got lucky enough to get to watch swimming alongside my boyfriend Kyle!  We even had matching Team USA shirts, thanks to the beautiful Laura Carter!  It was fun going with Kyle because we would look at the athletes about to race and then guess who would get first, second, and third.  I'm not sure how well we did in the end, but I'll just stay on the safe side and tell you all, we won.  We guessed the most right out of everyone in the whole audience playing the game (seeing as we were the only ones playing, I'm going to give us the gold, silver, and bronze.)  After watching Ryan Lochte and Micky (that's what I call Phelps these days...we are on a nickname bases :)) we were able to walk around Olympic park!  It was cool seeing the world's largest McDonalds and looking at Olympic souvenirs that cost more than my arm and leg would sell for.  We had a great time just enjoying the Olympic atmosphere and even got to chow down on some Mexican food (which is almost impossible to find in these parts of the world.)  Here is a picture of us in our fantastic matching uniforms :)

6. Closing Ceremonies!  On the last day of the Olympics, my friend Lisa and I found some fantastic sequenced American flag dresses (see pictures below, if you don't believe me :))  We went to the Stratford Mall, which is the Mall that is next to the stadium and the place the athletes hang out! As we walked around, people took pictures with us, commented on our wonderful fashion sense or just simply starred at the crazy americans walking by!  The greatest moment you ask?? When athletes came to us and asked to take pictures with US! Hello? How many times does that happen in your life? Isn't it suppose to be the other way around?  Whoo Hoo!! We even got Olympic boxing pins from a boxer from the USA team!! You check out the pictures and tell me if this isn't the dress I need to wear everyday of my life.

5. Getting a London Media pass. Yep, I had more pretend power with my London Media pass than I knew what to do with.  It was amazing because not only did they give me a pass with my name on it and official picture but I got blown away by God' provision...London hooked me up with a 100pound London underground pass!! That's like 160 dollars worth of free travel...whoo hooo!! It was amazing just traveling around and reporting on team all over London, and it really opened up a cool door for evangelism.  I got to share the gospel with people who would notice the media pass and ask who I worked for, or open up conversations with me in hopes of landing a spot in the national or international spotlight (but who can blame them, every camera crew set up, I purposely walked behind them, in case they were rolling and In case I recieved some international facetime....so if you were watching and thought "whooooaaa, that girl that just did a very poor attempt at the moonwalk in the background looks just like Dondi" then it probably was!) All in All, I felt pretty official, and tried to milk it for all it's worth, but apparently my credentials don't pass for Usain Bolt interviews :)

4. Athlete's Breakfast/Press Conference, I have had this dream for years of getting to be apart of a press conference with gold medal athletes and camera crews and news writers trying to get their questions in, but honestly thought it would never happen!  HECK YEAH DREAMS do come TRUE!!  I was asked to attend this Athlete's Breakfast just as a guest, but as I strolled up to registration they quickly ushered me into the line of Athletes.  Do you realize what this means?? This means that they glanced at me, saw my potential of Olympic gold and assumed that I was apart of the national team!!  I didn't want to correct them, but then I think it was obvious I wasn't one when I got star struck from seeing the USA Basketball team!  I thought to myself..."You have a media pass Dondi, play it cool, play it cool!" but playing it cool was probably the last way I would describe my actions. Once I left the Athletes line, the head organizers saw my Media pass and showed me to the Media section, telling me that after the program was over, some of the athletes would be heading to the press conference room and they would show us to the room when the time came.  I was so excited!  The program was amazing as well!  They had Eric Liddell's Daughters come and present an award for Athletes that play with heart and integrity. (Eric Liddell is the guy that the movie Chariots of Fire is based off!)  The stories were so inspirational one quote they kept refering to from the movie was when Eric said "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast.  And when I run I feel His pleasure."  Wow! Such good stuff and so cool to think of God enjoying us thriving in the gifts he gave us!  The experiences was really cool and then it was funny as we went to the press conference because people around me had big expensive reporting equipment and all I had was a pad of paper and a marker because my pen ran out.  I was definitely a little fish in a big pond, using my coloring books to report! It was so great!

3. Going through the day to day outreaches.  I was able to go to different outreaches everyday and see what God was doing!  It was so cool that not only did I get to report on how people were getting to hear about true love for the first time, but I got to join in as well!  Every day was a new experience, from passing out water bottles and hanging out in a cafe showing the Olympics to playing soccer on the streets and doing evangelism around Olympic stadium.  It was really incredible that I was able to see so many different nations, doing so many different outreaches, in so many creative way, in all different parts of London, but the same God pouring his love out on people!

2. Watching the Opening Ceremonies with 30 different nationalities! That's right! The opening ceremonies and the parade of nations will never be the same!  I sat in a small cafe and watched to Opening Ceremonies with some of my best friends.  I had my face painted and USA gear that Kyle's family and church supplied me with (I wore my USA stuff all the time!)  We sat as the Games were displayed on a big screen and were in awe of the artistic display.  Then when the flags came in, we all either cheered for the nation we were from or nations we had been.  It seemed that of the 50 or so people watching, we had almost been to every country. It was so cool to watch as the Nations gathered together in one place to compete, so were the nations gathered from around the world in London to share the gospel!  I was thinking about how one day, this is what the party I will get to be involved in will look like!  New Heaven, New Earth, All Nations praising in one voice God's goodness! Amen!

1. Salvations and Healings!  Whoo hooo!!!!!  I don't know the exact number of Salvations and Healings because we sorta lost track counting around July 10th or so?  At that time we saw over 120 people saved in just 10 days of outreach.  So we don't know the final count from the last 2 months, but I can tell you that Jesus was made known through out England and the world and that beats any Olympic event or press conference!  If you want to check out the stories we reported on, you can read all about the summer at www.forever2012.com