Eating & Working Out.

Dear Rachel,

Christmas has come and gone again.  I can't believe it.  I had a great time with my family.  The hustle and bustle of getting everything packed and trying to wrap presents was a little overwhelming.  I enjoy traveling to see family, but I wish I had more time to relax on break.  We spent a lot of time driving this year.  I survived it all and now I am back home.  I got money and clothes mostly this Christmas.  I was glad I didn't get much because my room is already full of stuff. 
I am glad you are feeling better now that you are at home.  Hopefully you won't have any more allergic reactions.  :)
One of my favorite presents was this book:

I would love to make a cake with you sometime out of this book.  It is an amazing book for explaining techniques in baking. 
I have been cleaning my room almost all day.  Pretty much ever since I got home from the gym!  I felt so accomplished on my drive home from working out.  I am so motivated that I am going back tomorrow.  I wish we could work out together to motivate each other.  Anyways, my room is clean and ready for you.  The only thing missing is YOU!  I have your Christmas present and belated birthday present sitting on my dresser waiting to be delivered.  I can't wait to see you and give you a great big hug!

LOTS OF LOVE!

--Rebekah

It Is Well

Dear Rebekah,

I've been home for five days and already I feel normal, again.
Alive.
Everything is back to the way it was. I've slept comfortably, eaten well, and feel restfully at peace. This is truly the greatest Christmas present. I am just so happy.
Since I've been home I have; spent time with my dad and Johnna, made new friends :), slept a lot, and eaten so really great food! It has been so very enjoyable. I think I might just stay here?
So how was your Christmas with your family? What did you get? I cannot wait for our Christmas, we're opening presents on Christmas eve, it will be awesome!
I can't wait to come stay with you, we're going to have a blast! Just to hug you and see your face in the flesh will be a blessing! YOU are a blessing, my dear best friend. I thank the Lord for you!

Lovelovelove you,

Rachel


Make You Feel My Love. OBSESSED with this song, and CD.

This one too. This is the prettiest song.

Long time due.

Rachel,

I have meant to write back to you since Thanksgiving, but school has taken all my time recently.  I know you had a great Thanksgiving with your cousins.  I had a great time with my family too.  It will only be a few weeks more and we will get to see each other!  I am more than excited to see you!
I am so glad you got me hooked on Pinterest!!  There are so many great things one that cite.  Even if I don't do all the things I want to do, I still feel creative just looking at all the crafts other people do. 
I have been taking tea in the mornings to school.  It makes my morning so much better.  Once that mug is in my hand, it does not leave until it is drained empty.  I wish we could sit and drink tea together more often. 
Finals are coming up soon.  I can't truthfully say that I am ready.  In fact, I am pretty nervous.  I guess you know what I will be doing until break--hardcore studying!
I love that we text each other a prayer for the day in the morning and a blessing at night.  I can't tell you how much more aware I have become of the ways God blesses me during each day.
I can't wait to make more plans for when you come to see me!

Extremely stressed but even more bless,
Rebekah

(This is one of my new favorite Christmas songs.)

Turkey Day

Dear Rebekah,

This week marks my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. I don't know why I love Thanksgiving so much, I think its because of the great family time and FOOD. Its like Christmas without the hustle and bustle of presents. I think my cousins from New Jersey are coming in, at least two of them, I am super stoked! I don't see them very often and its always so great when I do! You're going to STL, right? That should be really fun!
This next week my mom and I are going to make these! So so cool! If you have some extra time, stay on that blog and check out her craft ideas! Super creative! I really enjoy it, it gives me inspiration to do more crafting myself!
Right now I am watching Toy Story 3, such a cute movie but probably my least favorite of the three. Last night I watched Morning Glory and Jane Eyre, both really great! Jane Eyre was kind of on the depressing side, but it followed the book fairly well. Morning Glory was SUPER adorable, Rachel McAdams is a great actress! I would highly recommend it. What good movies have you seen recently?
I wish I had more to say, but I haven't been doing much lately because of this crazy sickness. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your concern and desire to help me out. I wish I could have a nice cup of tea with you this weekend!

lovelovelove you most!

Rach

Duck tape

Dear Rachel,

The trees here have been changing colors.  I love driving to school in my little red truck under the canopy of yellow, orange, and red trees in my neighborhood.
I wish I could enjoy running as much as you do.  I just don't have a lot of time to do anything besides school work.  I need to use my YMCA membership more.
The Ranch  was a lot of fun.  The speaker really spoke about what I needed to hear.  I love it how God has such perfect timing.
That cake sounds really delicious.  I love holiday baking and can't wait to get in full swing.  The smell of my house around Thanksgiving and Christmas is splendid.  I just love food. 
I told you I got all those cookbooks at the garage sale this past Saturday.  They are from all around the world which is pretty cool.  Want to know a recipe from Germany, Japan, or the British Isles?  Ask me because I have a cookbook for that.
Really funny story.  I was going home from church yesterday and we passed this pickup truck.  In the bed of the truck was all kinds of stuff that might have fallen out.  To keep it all contained, duck tape had been wrapped around it!  Instantly I thought of you and had to laugh.  It made m day.  I would have never thought of that, but some day when I have a lot of stuff in my truck I will try duck tape.  You know it has to work.  I will let you know how it goes.
Selling concessions yesterday was crazy.  I was running around getting popcorn and nachos.  One of the adults (who I had not met until just hours before) stopped me and said: "You are going to be a great wife for someone some day."  I can't even tell you how happy that made me.  The little compliments in life are the ones that mean the most to me.

I love you.

Rebekah

Running

Dear Rebekah,
Its a sunny/ chilly day here in Tennessee and the trees are really starting to show their true colors. Its just beautiful. I'm sure its the same way at the Ranch, wish I could be there with you.
This morning I woke up at 9, and freezing my butt off I got out of bed and went to the gym, ran a mile (without stopping) and am now watching the Vandy/ Arkansas game. Guess who's not winning? Us. The better team. WHAT THE HECK?! Sorry... I get angry, easily.
ANYWAYS. I've kind of started to enjoy running, recently. I don't know what is going on, because I've NEVER enjoyed or even liked running, but it has become a good release. When I run all I concentrate on is the beat of my music. Running helps me forget my worries, problems, and pains and puts me in great shape. I want to get better and faster, so that IF I end up in the CIA, I will be in prime physical shape... now I just need to practice running in heels. Wish me luck.
Last night I went and saw this movie with Ashton and Andrea. We ate at Qudoba (WOO-WHO!), got some Starbucks, and then went to the movie theater. The movie was so so so good! We all enjoyed it, the beginning moved kind of slow; however the story was great all around. Amanda Seyfried was the leading girl and I must say I really enjoyed her character. The was simple, sweet, cool, and really instyle with a gun in her hand... Everything I want to be!
I can't wait to hear about your time at NLR, I am sure both weekends have been/ will be great. I am super jealous that you AND Caleb are there, at the same time, without me. But. I'll deal. Next year, right?
This week Rachel came over and we made Spiced Apple Coffee Cake, let me just say. It was heaven in the mouth. Simply delightful. And of course, it was perfect with a cup of tea. Can't wait to make it with you!

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend, let's try to skype soon!

Lovelovelove you most,

Rach

P.S. I found these on Anthropologie and I NEED them. How cute are they!?

Tea and Teachings.

I am loving the colder weather.  It is almost the time when I can take my mug of hot tea to school ever morning.  I love a good chilly morning with my hoodie and a cup of hot tea. 
School is challenging.  I just got back from the ranch yesterday afternoon.  It was an amazing retreat with school.  After our speacker would talk to us, we would get into groups and talk about what we had just heard.  God was working in amazing ways in the lives of our high school.  So many girls really opened up to each other in our class.  God worked in my life and it made me so humble.  We talked about being both humble and confident in our relationship with Christ.  I can't wait to tell you more specifically how God has moved in my life.  I want to share my notes with you.
I hope you are feeling better and not so sick.  I am praying for you always. 
I remember when I went to Dollywood when I was little.  It was fun.  I have to say that Six Flags is probably the best amusement park I have ever been to.  We should go there together some time.  Maybe when we are in college for spring break or something. :)
I hope you are having a good weekend!  My brothers and I are watching Thor this morning.  I really want to see Captain America, but some of the girls are out of town this weekend so I will have to wait longer. 
I have not skyped you in a long time.  We will have to do that soon.

Love you,
Rebekah

p.s.  Did you notice that my team is in the World Series.  I don't know how likely it is that we will win, but I will not give up.  They are in enemy territory now.  They play tonight.  I think my night has already been planned.  Maybe I will make some good food for the family to eat while we watch the game and cheer for the best.  We will see how this series plays out...