CFAW

This weekend is “College for a Weekend” at Liberty University.  It’s exactly what it sounds like -- hundreds of high school students come to campus to see if it’s the right place for them.  Before I became a “philosoflower” (as Jesse likes to call me) I was the event planner, and the Welcome Rally was always my favorite part.  I’m not sure exactly what I loved so much about it, but I think it was this feeling I experienced when I looked out over the massive group of people who had traveled from all over the country (and world!) to be at the event we planned.  It was humbling and exciting to think about the potential inside that room!

The Welcome Rally!​

I don’t think students go to Liberty to just get an education, although that’s a part of the process.  I think what draws them is the desire to live beyond themselves and be a part of what God’s doing in the world.  They go to be champions for Christ who don’t quit.  They learn the truth, they walk in love and they share.  

Being a part of their story is really special. 

Earlier this year I felt the Lord leading me away from that assignment and onto something else that was unknown to me at the time.  That “unknown” is now known as Philosophy Flowers, and someday I’ll tell you the amazing story of how that happened.  But today I’ll tell you trusting the Lord bears sweet fruit.  I’ll also tell you that His plans for you are above and beyond anything you could have ever dreamed for yourself.  

I still get to be a part of this special event called “CFAW” and make lots of flowers for the guests and staff to enjoy.  

God’s glory dwells in the flowers He created and in the hearts and smiles of every one of those students.

I pray that each student will grow up to be excellent at what they do because an excellent God dwells in their lives.

P.S. I love acorns (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!),​ and yes, I practically climbed a tree to get these.

Oh and I took this school-spirited arrangement to my friends at the Wingate Hotel​.  Lots of CFAW parents stay there, and I thought it would be fun to have in their lobby this weekend.

Delivery

Just a quick picture of this morning's delivery!

​I'm loving the fasciated willow.  Fasciated means "grows in a bunch."

"Serious" Saturdays

​Fall is officially here.  I've always loved the sound, the smell and the look of it.  I grew up with a big back-yard full of trees and Saturday was the best.  Saturday meant mom and dad were raking leaves and raking leaves = me playing in them.

Gosh, who am I kidding, if there was a huge leaf pile outside right now, I would still go jump in it.  Jesse wouldn't participate, but he would watch and promptly check me for bugs and critters before he let me in the house again.  ​

I've got a little leaf pile in the kitchen on the floor right now.  I was stripping leaves last night and I swept them all into the corner.  Jesse came down to get his coffee this morning and I heard, crunch, crunch.  I take Bringing Nature Home very seriously.  

Nicolette & Ngoc, Authors of Brining Nature Home.

​​I also take Saturday seriously.  And by seriously I mean I make it a very serious point to have as much fun as humanly possible!  So naturally, I ate the biggest, stickiest pecan roll the farmer's market had to offer.  It was almost as good as grandpa's, but not quite (email me if you want Grandpa's recipe!).  The market was especially fun because I watched lots of people carrying around the bouquets Mary Ellen and I made this week!  And I noticed...

People with flowers smile more than people without them.

Then I went to meet Ericka!  We wanted to go see what was happening at Saunder's.  They grow the boxwood for the White House, you know.

They also have a one-man band that plays the harmonica and guitar and sings!  I thought it couldn't possibly get better, but it did!

That's right!  Homestead Creamery's PUMPKIN ice cream is back!!!!!  ​

So go get some pumpkin ice cream and share it with your friends.  Embrace the new season.  Get flowers, smile a lot and always take at least one day of your week to be very "serious."