August Anamnesis

I just learned the word "anamnesis," and am not sure if the context is quite right for the title of this post, but I liked how it started with an A like "August." So, there you go (loose reference to My Big Fat Greek Wedding there). 

August and September have flown by, and I have failed to meet my New Year's non-resolution hope to post at least once a month. Oh well, the busyness inhibiting my ability to post was entirely worth it. Below are a few pictures from the month of August, although many, many other events took place. It was a month full of fellowship, hiking, making new friends and building stronger relationships with current friends, ministry, and sunshine. I told myself that after I graduated from Liberty I would focus more on serving at church and building deeper relationships with fellow church members, and God has hugely blessed that desire. 

Sweet Pea and I also started learning Russian (I may have mentioned that in a prior post). Pollywog is already very good at the language, and Mozarella and Gubby are also learning it -- Sweet Pea, Pollywog, and I started attending an "adult Russian school" hosted by our church. I'm so excited to learn more about this beautiful language!

 In early August, Sweet Pea (17), Polly Wog (21), and Mozzarella (19) went hiking with two co-workers from the law firm where Mozzarella and I work. It is such a blessing to work with fellow believers who can be friends as well as co-workers!

 Group photo!

 Have you ever been to a beautiful place and just wanted to sit and reflect? 

 We had the opportunity to attend a Franklin Graham event, and while I'm not sure just how I felt about the event, it was a neat experience, and the Gospel of Christ was shared.

 Baby Lucy is growing so fast! This picture is only about a month old, and yet she has grown so much since this picture! She is a little chunk with an adorable smile! 

 Building relationships with people from church is a tremendous blessing, but maintaining relationships with dear childhood friends is also incredible. These ladies have been with me through thick and thin, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. Even though we're all growing up and heading in different directions, we still find time to get together to catch up and share about our lives. 

 I was so thankful to be able to go water-skiing twice this summer! It's so exciting to finally start getting the hang of it and being able to go in and out of the wake and, when tired, just let go of the rope and gracefully sink into the water. 

This last time we went water-skiing, the lake was extremely calm. Seriously, my head wasn't even entirely wet after I got back in the boat.

Story: So, I struggle with a slight fear of the water and thinking about fish in the water kind of freaks me out. Like, if  I see a big fish I probably won't get in. Anyway, when I was skiing behind the boat this last time (picture of this time above), we were going by a whole herd of fishing boats. It was hilarious, and kind of ironic. I was praying 1) that I wouldn't see anyone pull a big one in and 2) that I wouldn't wipe out and disturb their water. Thankfully, neither happened. 

Pollywog, Munchette, and Sweet Pea are much better water-skiers than I am, and watching them zip in and out of the wake and do cool moves is pretty incredible.

 (gracefully sinking into the water -- this is not a wipe out) 

 Pollywog. She is incredible. She loves the Lord, is super good at learning/speaking Russian, and is doing an incredible job in nursing school. 

 We were blessed with the opportunity to hike at an incredible mountain with some people from church! It was the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. God's glory was so, so evident.

 Cowboy and Baby Lucy!

 In late August, Mozzarella and I had the opportunity to be camp counselors at our church's middle- and high-school ministry camp. I won't post too many pictures out of respect for others' privacy, but it was an incredibly challening and blessed time. One of the girls in my cabin took this picture; spending time with her was such a blessing -- we were able to share our struggles, joys, and about our families.

Massage train!

My group was the "blue" cabin, and this is a picture of our door, with a light blue bandanna outside the door to aid in spotting the cabin.

The Adventures of Lady Valencia Dawn Jonesier Part 5: Homeward Bound

On Tuesday evening, Peachy and I went to the pool for a potential swim and adventure in the hot tub, but soon after we had to leave because of a thunder and lighting storm...We didn't mind too much, though, because the resort let us rent a movie for free! We rented a multi-movie pack with a bunch of super old flicks -- turns out one(s) we (tried) watching were pretty disappointing. Not sure if we even really finished one...It was an experience, though!

Wednesday morning found us bidding lovely Virginia farewell. I think I can confidently say that I am a fairly seasoned (national) traveler who thoroughly enjoys traveling but still loves home. While leading the family through airport terminals and exploring new places is enjoyable, walking through the hallways of home is lovely. Pictures below!

At the pool! It was just starting to sprinkle.

 The Charlottesville airport is so small that you have to go outside to board the plan rather than walk through those hallway thingies in the terminal...I've always wanted to board a plane like this, and felt kind of like a celebrity...

The family boarding!

 Peachy and I being amused that my family is filling up a significant portion of this tiny plane...

I see a lot of family there! Also, Mozzarella was a good passenger and was reading the safety manual along with the flight attendant...Peachy and I were both amused and also convicted about how terrible we were because we weren't reading it...

And so, this concludes our adventures with our dear Lady Valencia Dawn Jonsier. It was a truly blessed, wonderful trip that we shall never forget. So many memories were made, memories that I could fill pages of this blog with but am instead holding in my heart (hopefully not to be forgotten). 

Hold fast to Jesus!

Sonia

The Adventures of Lady Valencia Dawn Jonesier Part 4: Colonial Williamsburg

As mentioned previously, Peachy and I made last-minute plans to stay in Williamsburg rather than Roanoke on Sunday night so we would have an extra day at Colonial Williamsburg. The Fort Macgruder Hotel and Conference Center had very reasonably priced availability, so we stayed there Sunday night. We stayed at our previously-booked Groupon resort the following two evenings, where the rest of the family was staying as well. The conference center was actually pretty nice, although it the elevator smelled like marijuana in the evening, which was rather unpleasant...We got over it though, since we live in a state where it is legal and are used to ignoring it.

Anyway, that was a long, and rather pointless bunny trail. Here are (several severals) of pictures from our lovely time in Williamsburg. 

Apparently there is a family who has been visiting Colonial Williamsburg every year; Peachy and I thought they were staff at first.

Not a lot compares to walking down a street and feeling like you have stepped back in time.

 Peachy talked me into milking the pseudo cow, and I'm so glad she did. it was great fun.

 Beautiful gardens and adorable seed houses. 

 Peachy 💗

 Beautiful garden.

 I'm not an interior designer, but it seems to me like the pattern on the bedspread and chair don't really go with the stripes on the wall...

The parish graveyard.

 "Oh death, where is your sting? Or grave, where is your victory?" 1 Corinthians 15:54-56: When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

Oh death, where is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin,, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Carriages everywhere! 

 Waiting in line at the courthouse. We were able to participate in a trial -- it was so fun! While I didn't get a speaking part or anything, I volunteered to be one of the justices and sat next to the judge. 

I'm the extremely excited yellow justice next to the judge. :)

Perhaps a little bit too excited...

The inside of the Governor's Palace 

The gardens at the Governor's Palace 

A lovely gate attached to the gardens of the palace. 

The end of the evening march. 

 We got to our resort (where the rest of the family was staying) and had fun in the pool for a couple of hours. 

 Hannah and I were ready to conquer the second part of Colonial Williamsburg on Tuesday! That place is huge!

 Possibly one of my favorite pictures of the entire trip: my dearest friend and a courthouse. 

The print guy!

I just loved all of these walkways 

Watch out world, she's as smart as she is cute!

We learned on Tuesday that ox cart rides are only $5.00! Of course Peachy and I jumped at the opportunity for a ride! We spent a whopping $20.00 for a carriage ride the day before (which was totally worth it), and this was a delightful surprise!

This is a porcelain throne in one of the gaol cells. It is so throne-like.

 Peachy has a darker side to her, I guess...being in a gaol cell and all...