There Is No Me Without You

Finally I've been reunited with my second family, 

my brothers and sister in Christ, 

my best friends by choice, 

and the loves of my life. 

What a fabulous three days we spent roaming between

Asheboro, Sanford, and Durham

with the six of us back together again

and happier than ever to be in each other's company. 

How I've missed these kids.

MB came in Wednesday night 

and we headed off to Sanford 

with Alex and Corbin to meet up with 

Nate and Zach the next morning. 

We got to town a little earlier than expected 

and went up to the train park 

before meeting the guys at La Vita Dolce.  

Hooray for acting like children again! 

We headed to La Dolce Vita for lunch. 

Remember those gifts I mentioned in an earlier blog? 

Well they finally got to open them and were super 

happy with the result.

 I got MB random little goodies, 

along with a cross (the same one I got for Nate too) 

that says,  Love One Another. 

All three of us have this cross because it's the basis of 

our Bible verse; John 13- 34-35. 

Nate got a Hunchback of Notre Dame puppet 

(which stole the tip and helped Zach unwrap his gift)

I don't think I've ever seen Nate so excited before,

good gift choice :) 

Zach's birthday present was an Argentina 

Fifa World Cup jacket, even though it's over now. 

But still he loved it and that's the most important thing. 

Late birthday celebrations never get old. 

After lunch we headed out on the town for adventures.  

We walked up to the abandoned train station, 

where everyone decided to climb over the locked gate 

to get to the roof.  We attempted to find an entrance into the station, 

but couldn't find an unlocked door or window, 

but there's always next time!

(even though it's probably illegal) 

Old building hunting will forever be a favorite past time. 

I'm so grateful that when God was writing out 

our lives, He made us cross paths. 

It's a beautiful thing when your best friends 

become your family and nothing is better 

than knowing that no mater how embarrassing you are, 

or how stupid you may be, nothing will ever come 

between you and your family. 

No greater love than this, friends. 

The fact that our relationship is built on God, 

gives me hope that if anything is going to hold this

family together, it's gonna be our Father. 

We headed to Southpoint, 

danced in public places, 

watched the boys shop

while MB and I sat outside, 

spilt salsa on ourselves, 

explored Urban Outfitters, 

faced fog and storms on backroads, 

ate homemade ice cream, 

got whistled at late at night, 

and climbed onto the roof of the train,

 in the dark with ice cream in hand. 

And no one went to the hospital. 

Very successful day for our group! 

MB and I went to the local German restaurant, 

in downtown Asheboro, the next day for lunch. 

Hooray for schnitzel and real potato salad! 

And I love my wonderful friendship 

bracelet that MB made for me :)  

MB and I had a girls afternoon 

and hit up the local antique shops and art galleries.  

We visited an awesome gallery 

consisting of all things made of duct tape.  

The evening was wrapped up with homemade ice cream 

from the local creamery and life talks in the car. 

It's hard to believe these few days are already over, 

but only 30 more days before we're back at school, 

together again! 

I'm so beyond blessed that God put 

MB, Nate, Zach, Alex, and Corbin in my life.  

I wouldn't trade my family for anyone else in the world. 

They are the sunshine on my rainy day, 

  and the love that keeps me strong. 

******

"Nothing but Heaven itself is better than a friend

who is really a friend"- Plautus

Greensboro Daytrip :)

Back in June, Nate, Alex, Corbin, and I all met up in Greensboro for a fun filled day with our church, Lawndale Baptist, which we have missed tons. tons, tons!! 

Nate and I kicked the day off with an incredible church service.  Dr. Joe always knows how to serve a phenomenal sermon! This sermon was particularly special because it happened to be on "our" Bible verse and how God commands His angels to guide us, 

John 13- 34-35

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

We consider this verse to be mine, Nate, and MB's verse. 

During a long talk a few months ago, I told Nate that I considered him to be my angel because he showed up right when I needed someone most in my life.  Nate pulled out his Bible and showed me this verse, explaining that it's because of God's love, that Nate loves me.  Ever since then, this has been our verse.  The fact that the Lawndale service (which neither of us had attended since school let out) was about this verse, really meant something special to us. It was especially special to me, who had been struggling with trusting in God and knowing that He would take care of things.  This sermon was proof that He never fails at showing me the little clues that He's always going to guide me.  

Along with an amazing sermon, it was great just to be back with the people I love and my amazing church family, my how I've missed Mr. B- our orchestra director, Dr. Joe, and our youth pastor, Dave! Totally worth the drive to get back to Greensboro and back to Lawndale :)

After service Nate wanted to hit up a Korean buffet 

before heading to his quartet rehearsal 

before the Lawndale cookout that afternoon.  

This is his plate, obviously he's had a lot of experience 

eating Korean food.  Unlike me because...

this is my plate, how very American of me to 

get the typical Asian food.  But the good news is,

 he convinced me to eat fermented cabbage, pickled cucumbers 

(which is kind of redundant) and I got to see BoA and H.O.T.

 on the Korean music video channel that was playing 

in the restaurant, major throwback to middle school! 

After lunch we had plans to go the Lawndale cookout

 but Nate had to go to rehearsal before we could leave. 

So we met up with Alex and Corbin once we got to UNCG. 

Actually "meet up" isn't really the best way to describe it. 

More like planning to meet up but seeing the twins

while we were driving down the street, which is 

when I leaned over and laid on the horn, which was

about the same time Nate hit the brakes on a speed bump, 

hit reverse, rolled down the windows, and yelled 

for Alex and Corbin to get in the car.  

I feel awful for anyone who had to witness this. 

While Nate was cello-ing it up, 

the twins and I headed down to the

 woods to play in the creek and 

explore some abandoned 

once-was house properties. 

but because I wasn't expecting to actually go 

hiking I left my change of clothes in Nate's car 

and had to hike in what I wore to 

church that morning.  How fashionable I 

was to be hiking in embellished sandals...

eventually we decided it was time for some 

cool air and headed to the mall where

 I saw the most disgusting sight of my life... 

(not Alex haha) 

but instead a vending machine for make-up. 

Way to close the store but put in a vending machine, 

think of all the job loss, it's sickening.  

but the good news? 

free water at Starbucks, 

heck yes. 

and as usual Nate's rehearsal ran over so 

when we got back to the music building two hours later, 

we had to entertain ourselves someway.  

So while listening in on Nate's quartet, 

we decided to get artsy and create this little buddy 

(with the plastic eye ball that was found in Alex and Corbin's car.) 

we then entertained ourselves with the 

beauty of the music building garden 

and all the little dragon flies swooping around. 

And then it was off we go to the Lawndale cook-out!!

 A great time was had by all and it was wonderful to catch up 

with all our friends, feast on hot dogs and burgers, 

play cards, watch basketball and 

enjoy time spent together. 

Alex and the cupcake are by far, 

the greatest part of this photo. 

my best friends, my brothers, the loves of my life <3

Nate's always wanted a hedgehog, but of course, 

it's very hard for me to get him a real one. 

So instead I had to settle for some non-breathing ones. 

 This is Hobey, it makes me happy that he looks like 

Nate with the hair and all.  He has a sister who 

was in my travel bag at the time.  

Nate was pretty excited, he even asked if he 

had to brush them to take care of them, 

aw, it's true love right there.  

So there you have it, our amazing adventure to Greensboro!! 

Tell me friends, what amazing adventures 

have you gone on this summer? 

xoxo

-anya:)

Last Minute Roadtrip.

The phone call went something like this: 

Corbin: Hey! I know it's early, but what are you doing this afternoon? 

Me: Nothing, why? 

Corbin: We're going to Sanford to see Nate and Zach, when can I pick you up? 

Me: SERIOUSLY!?!?! 12:30 at the elementary school, I'm pumped!! 

So off Alex, Corbin, and I went, 

on our last minute roadtrip to Sanford to see our best friends. 

Even though Nate and Zach are truly the most entertaining things 

in that town, it was still worth the trip :) 

HAHAHAHAHAHA

they have a place called the Nunnery, 

can't be that bad of the town?

Nate warned me that when we came to visit him, 

he would be inside a pyramid at work. 

And he literally was inside a plywood pyramid 

for his hometown Church's VBS. 

(he also took the the time to paint communist hieroglyphics

on the inside. Only my best friend would do that.)

And Alex gladly modeled Nate's great creation! 

After our fabulous lunch at Zach's restaurant

 and off for adventures in rain with ice cream. :D 

The look of happiness, what a fabulous day 

with my favorite boys!! 

We concluded the adventure with a side trip to historic Pittsboro 

and pulling out my accordion when we got home. 

How typically, us. 

What summer adventures have you

 been on, my lovely readers? 

xoxo

-Anya :)