It really is well...

As I sit here and ponder life, I am convicted by our gracious Lord that all is well. As I am scurrying with my daily schedule of work, attempting to make it to the gym, fitting in a tanning session, planning my wedding, and making sure I make it to this event and this appointment, I tend to get lost in life. With my wedding approaching quickly, I have had a few glitches occur in my plans. When I find myself getting so caught up in MY plans and what I want, I am then convicted and reminded that it's not always about ME. There are so many other things in life and in this world going on, that my stupid, petty, little glitches don't even matter or measure up to other things. My family is going through a rough patch now and we just take life, day by day. Then I am reminded of all the world's disasters, such as the tsuamni that took place in Japan this past weekend, and so many innocent people who lost everything they had and ever knew as well as the many lives that were lost. I look at the sweet, little 5 year old girl, Lucy, in Memphis, who is fighting for her LIFE, battling a horrible cancer disease, traveling from one hospital to another. Everyday I read her mother's blog and I am reassured that my life really is ok. I have also found that once all is said and done, the plans I had didn't matter, because what ended up was a better plan anyway. So, as you read this, I challenge you to just sit back and think about your life. Be still (as I wrote on in a previous post) before the Lord and take it all in. You will be blessed.

PS- to follow sweet little Lucy's progress, go to http://erikandkatekrull.blogspot.com/

Be Still...

So, I have been involved in a Bible study over the past few weeks, with a great new bunch of gals. I am excited for the new study and can't wait to see what the Lord will do for each of us through this new study. We meet every Tuesday night. We start off by reviewing the previous week's lesson and devotionals. Then we watch a video in preparation for the upcoming week. The study is entitled, "He Speaks to Me," by Priscilla Shirer. Tonight's video really spoke to me. After all, I am a labor and delivery nurse and she began the sermon with a story about being in labor. She talked about how some women have plans of going "natural" and don't even consider the convience of epidural meds. However, on the other hand, some walk in and say "give me my pain meds!" Which, is how I want to be! Ha! She talked about how when women are in true pain and are to the point of sitting up for the epidural, the anesthesia professional goes to perform the procedure and so many times women can not sit still because of the pain and the last words to come out of the CRNA or anesthesiologist's mouth is "be still."

Essentially, that is what our great anesthesiologist is saying to us, our Mighty, Lord and Savior, is just saying, "sit down and be still." (See John 6:10)Be in my presence and be calm. Sometimes it's so hard to do just that. With our busy lives and daily schedules, it is so hard to find that quiet time to spend with our Lord, our Creator! If you are reading this, I challenge you, as I challenge myself, to take just a moment from reading this and be still in the presence of God, He will bless you! Thanks for taking the time to read! :)
Psalm 46: 10

Just 60 more days!!!

Check out the wedding website I created. Yes, I know it's not long before the big day, but better later than never! Check it out!


http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/laciwhite&ericshirkey

December 2010... NYC, Christmas and Eric's Birthday

Well Decmeber was a busy month, to kick off the Christmas holiday, Eric took me to New York City, my dream vacation at Christmas time! What an amazing trip! We had so much fun. I can not wait to go back someday! Here are just a couple pictures for you to enjoy, some of my faves!


Wicked on Broadway!


Lady Liberty


Carriage ride in Central Park


Serendipity Tea Room!!!


Today Show! We were on TV a few times, so neat!


Top of the Rock, the beautiful Empire State Building behind us


The BEAUTIFUL Rockefellar Christmas Tree!!!

Then quickly came Christmas. We did Christmas Eve, Dad's and Eric's Birthday as well as Christmas day all at Mom's house. We had Christmas morning breakfast at Mom's and Eric came over to join us. Then we opened gifts and Granny and Uncle Mike came over for more presents and then our lunch feast. We left town late that afternoon and headed to Missouri to be with the Shirkey clan. It was so nice to get to see them all and begin one of many Christmas traditions. Enjoy a few pics from our Christmas holiday!


Mom got Eric and I both matching aprons that say 'Mr. and Mrs. Shirkey' and gift cards to use at the Viking Cooking School in Memphis, when we do go, it's going to be an exciting date!


My new Christmas dishes!!!


Mom's new Memphis Tiger rolling cooler, she was so excited!


Dad's new North Face Eric and I got him


Kristy's new purse from NYC


I framed an old Bush Stadium painting Eric had stashed in his closet for him


My sweet family


The sweet Shirkey family

2 days after Christmas was Eric's birthday... we spent the day traveling back from Missouri. That night we went to Cafe Piazza on the Collierville Square for a wonderful dinner, then to Yolo's Yogurt for dessert. So good! We walked around the square some and looked at all the beautiful Christmas lights too. Happy Birthday Eric!

Eric's Mizzou Scentsy warmer that Mom got him, he LOVES it!


It was a Mizzou kind of birthday! I got Eric a new duffel bag packed with all sorts of Mizzou goodies!






Cafe Piazza!


Yolo's Frozen Yogurt


The pretty Christmas Tree on the Collierville Square

December is now over, now on the the New Year... which means WEDDING TIME!!!

To catch up a bit...

Here is a compliation of the past few months... In September, Eric threw me a surprise 25th Birthday party! I was quite surprised, he did such a good job! He rounded up all my friends, half of whom he hadn't even met yet and everyone that could be there was, even his parents made a trip down. It was a little cool to get in the pool but we made up for that with all the yummy food and delicious cake! Enjoy a few of the pics!


Kris made me a sweet memory/photobook. So sweet, she even made me cry :(







October rolled around and we kicked off the month with the Lady Antebellum/David Nail concert with best friends Kelly and Chris. That same weekend we enjoyed a U of M football game, despite the loss and also that same weekend went to Nashville with good friends Matt and Stephanie for a Tennessee Titans game! That was fun, cold, but a fun experience; I'm sure it won't be my last pro football game either :) October ended with the Carrie Underwood concert, which was absolutely fantastic! She put on the best show, I will definitely buy tickets for another concert of hers!

















Then came Novemeber and Thanksgiving time. For Thanksgiving Eric and I travelled to Missouri on that Wednesday night and returned late Thanksgiving afternoon. It was a quick trip but at least we got to be with both families. We would've stayed longer, but I had to work the day after Thanksgiving.

We're ENGAGED!!!

Yes, say hello to the future MRS. Shirkey.... I'm gonna have to get used to that name! :) The night we got back in town from St. Louis, Eric asked me to marry him! I couldn't believe it when it did happen. It was simple, sweet and of course, so special. Eric had plans the whole weekend while we were with family to propose, but never did, for various reasons; but that night we returned home, he couldn't resist or wait any longer. We had just been hanging out together, which we LOVE to do, just talking about how well the weekend went and how everyone enjoyed one another's company...the next thing I knew, he was down on one knee proposing with the most BEAUTIFUL ring! We were ecstatic and couldn't wait to spread the good news! We first went to my parents house to tell them in person, then called the rest of our friends and family.




The wedding is April 2, 2011 on the beach in Destin, Florida. We can not wait to share such a sweet, special time with our closest friends and family and become husband and wife!

And the 'rents finally meet!

August 2010, the Shirkey's and White's finally meet. Eric and I had been planning a fun way for our families to meet and we thought, what better way than a Cardinals game and get-away!? So that's what we did. Both my parents and sister and Eric's parents and brother all traveled to St. Louis for the weekend to catch a game, some good food and a chance to finally meet possible future in-laws! :) All was well, besides the Cardinals losing and the extreme hot temps! Everyone loved each other and got along perfect! We are all looking forward to the next time we can all gather together! Here's a few pics from our weekend!


















\\\