So ever since viewing my wedding pictures made me cry, I have been slightly obsessed with having pictures taken of Andrew and myself. Thankfully, one of the best photographers I've ever seen is a very good friend of mine, so it's never an issue trying to decide who we want to do the pictures. Carly Brantmeyer is an absolute joy to be around and to work with. With that said, my next project is figuring out when/where Andrew and I can have some pictures done this year. We had some done last year in April in Chapel Hill and in Duke Gardens. They of course turned out perfectly because Carly is, as I said, amazing. This year I want something a little different. For a lack of a better word, I want something that could be possibly classified as 'edgy'. One possible place I've considered and we've discussed is Main Street of Rock Hill, SC

This street has character and I in turn, it would produce some awesome pictures. Another option is going Uptown. I know there would be some great locations.

I just like the streetcar and some seriously fun photos could come from that. But ideas or opinions are very much welcomed! Let me know what you think.

What's Life Without Adventure?

I feel as though this week hasn't been lived by me. It feels as though I'm watching someone else live their life. The reason for this odd feeling, is because I have finally started a career, and it hasn't set in that it's for real and it's mine for as long as God says so. At first (understandably) I was completely and utterly overwhelmed. But after today, my confidence has gone back up  and I believe that I can do this job and do it well. I am so thankful that God answers prayers in His time. I now know that I would have not been able to do this job as I'll need to without some pruning that took place in my first 2 jobs. I'm so excited to have this job; not only because it's finally in my desired field, but also because I really and truly believe that it's a great opportunity and a great place to get started. So far everyone that I've met has been extremely helpful and nice, so let's pray that that continues. I wish I had some pictures of my office, but hopefully next week that'll happen. I'm extremely tired as I write this because this week has been such a whirlwind, but I had just wanted to have a quick post about what's been going on!

Good deals galore!

As a girl, I am always on the lookout for a good deal. Whether that be on clothes, beautifying products, or food items, I am a fan when the aforementioned can be bought at a fraction of the price. Yesterday was a personal triumph for me. I was able to get some great clothes that can/will be used for my new job as well as for church. And the purchase that I was most excited about was this Talbots skirt that I got for $12.00!

I know it may be hard to see it as a whole with this picture, but it is a great skirt! Marshalls is the perfect place to find a good deal, and I sadly have not utilized it properly in the past. Hopefully now, though, that will all change. Along with the skirt, I got 2 pairs of pants, 4 shirts, and a movie (Bride Wars). It was an extremely successful shopping trip.
Another great deal finding venue that I discovered this weekend whilest blog stalking is Vitacost. This site is amazing if you buy vitamins, health supplements and all-natural health and beauty products. I am so excited to start using this site on a regular basis! The first thing I'm going to be buying is some Alba products

I adore this line, but the "cheapest" place I can find is Target, and it is not that cheap. I can get a bottle from VitaCost for almost half the cost.  So if you use any of the products that I mentioned above, I would strongly suggest checking it out. Let me know if you know of other great deal finding places/sites!

Oh yeah, it is March...

This March is a strange one for me. Usually at this point I'm stressing, not sleeping well and even more obsessed (yes it's possible) with North Carolina basketball. Not this year though. No, this year I'm just picking a team that I hope will win, but really won't care all that much if they don't. Because you see, this year, Carolina basketball was not was it usually is and they ended up in the NIT. A place they have not been since 2003 and a place Roy Williams had never been until this year. So for me, it's hard to remember March where I wasn't stressing, not sleeping and even more obsessed. And therefore, March Madness truly isn't that "mad" for me. But I will continue to cheer for them through their "run" in the NIT and hope that it prepares them even more for next year...because that's what I'm waiting for....next year.

But moving on. Another big part of March is that yesterday was my last day at Piedmont Eye Care. It was sad, but I'm really excited for the next chapter of my life...which starts on Monday. But me being me, took our camera yesterday so I could get a few shots with the people that have been in my life a lot for the past 13 months

my front desk counterpart!

a great friend

someone I hope to be friends with for many years to come

God blessed me so much when He gave me the opportunity to work there. I learned a lot about myself, about His grace and just working in the "real world". I really and truly don't think I would be able to do a good job at URS if I hadn't first worked there. It was a good season, but I am honestly glad that it has changed. I hope that Monday will be the start of a new adventure, and I really can't wait to start it.

Moving on!

So, my life as of late has been nothing short of amazing and overwhelming all rolled into one. We are now officially under contract for our house (yay!) and I am starting  my new job on Moday (another yay!). Everything still seems so unreal, but I am so thankful that on top of all the blessings that God has given us, that He's chosen to bless us even more. We're set to close on our house on April 30th and I cannot wait.  I tell the dogs daily that we're finally getting them a house with a yard. Their response is to cock their head's to the side and try to figure out what I'm saying. It's good routine. I am so excited to start my job and I hope that it's everything I've hoped for. It'll be hard to leave Piedmont Eyecare, but it's time to move on and start a career. I have been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to meet and work with such great people. I am going to miss them a great deal. I apologize if this post is boring, I just felt I needed to give the update of everything that's going on in our world. I'll let you know how the first day at URS goes! Please be praying. :)

Looking for Home Sweet Home

That's right, Andrew and I have started actively looking for a house that could be our own! And when I say actively, I mean we put an offer in yesterday afternoon. Now we're just waiting to either hear their acceptance or receive their counter offer. It's an exciting process, but obviously a scary one. We ask that you all continue to cover us in your prayers and that if this isn't God's will, that He firmly shut the door. As much as we want to own our own home, God's timing is far more important. But I assure you that we'll keep you posted! I also wanted to leave you with some pictures so you could see our potential new home!

We think that the house has a lot of potential and it would be a great first home. It's big enough for us to grow in, but not too big. As Goldy Locks would say, "it's juuuust riiight". So wish us luck, but more importantly, keep us in your prayers!

Waiting for God's Best

Waiting For God's Best

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone, to have a deep relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and exclusively.

But to His child, the Lord says: "No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled, and content with being loved by Me; with giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me to have an intensely personal relationship with Me alone, discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found.

Only then will you be capable of the most perfect relationship that I have planned for you. "I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing… one that you cannot imagine (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I want you to have the best. Please allow Me to bring it to you. "You just keep watching Me. Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I am. Keep listening and learning the things that I tell you. Just waiting-that's all.

"Don't be anxious. Don't worry. Don't look around at all the things others have gotten or that I have given them. Don't look at all the things you think you want. Just keep looking up to Me.

"And then, when I know you are ready, I'll surprise you with a love far wonderful than any you would dream of. You see, I'm working at this moment to have you both ready at the same time. Until you are satisfied exclusively with Me, and the life I've given you, you won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me.

"Dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love, I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me, and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love that I offer you with myself. "Know that I love you utterly. Be satisfied in Me."

Author Unknown

I know that obviously I have an amazing Godly husband, but this poem got me through some rough times in college when I was trying to figure out who God had for me. Parts of still apply to so many aspects of my life though; job, possible house buying, and just life in general. Being satisfied in the Lord can often times be hard, but so worth it.

Surreal on a Whole New Level

I sincerely apologize for lack of posts lately. Life has been hectic, glorious and surreal. To start off on something not significant to my life, the North Carolina Tar Heels finally reached the 2000 mark for all time wins. And to celebrate they go and get humiliated by Duke. It has been that season. But instead of showing what would be a depressing picture of the latter, I will show the team on a high!

 

On another more relevant note, it appears that after months of waiting (not always patiently) and applying...I...Maggie Janke...have finally started my career {insert the surreal part} !!!! I'm still so shocked. It will with URS Corporation and I will be serving as an Outreach Coordinator. My main job responsibilities will be delivering presentations and event planning. My main hope is that this is all in the right time. Although I know what God wants, He gets, but I want to be aligning with His timing. So I will continue to pray the next couple of weeks and if i feel that this is not the road He wants me to go down, then I trust He'll reveal that to me. But for now, I am extremely excited and believe that this is the right job for me, even though it'll be so hard to leave the friends I've made at my job. I trust that God will give me the confidence and faith I need to move forward.  

Another surreal part is that Andrew and I have started the process of house buying. There are still a quite a few details that we have to figure out and get worked out, but so far so good. And that is another thing that we're praying hard on. So please pray for us. We want to make the right decision and by 'right' I mean a faith based- thoroughly prayed for-decision. God's hand has to be all over both of these things. It's so exciting and scary all at the same time. It's back to the whole growing up thing and being an adult thing. Somewhat terrifying! 

I'll keep you posted though!

Have you yelled lately?

First, let me apologize for the severe lack of posting this past week. Life has been a little hectic and delightful all at once. I will hopefully be able to explain both of those in detail tomorrow, but for you now, you'll have to wait. Second of all, these past couple of weeks has allowed the Lord to show me just what it means to wait on Him. That has been  my hardest struggle in this whole growing up process. I have prayed for it, even begged for it, and now that it's happening, I'm not so sure. But here I am...waiting. And I've learned, grown, cried, stomped and yelled. Tonight, though, I yelled for a different reason; Isaiah 30:18

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; 

He rises to show you compassion.

For the Lord is a God of justice. 

Blessed are all who wait for Him!

After reading that and then re-reading it out loud, I yelled. How amazing and how exciting to know that God has compassion on me, the one who lacks faith, stumbles often and is so impatient. He longs to be gracious to me and regardless of my disbelief in the waiting process, I will be blessed. If that doesn't make you want to yell, then I have no idea what would.