#BerryChristmasTrek2011

Well, I've been out of school for almost a month now... hard to believe.  This has been our first Christmas married and well, it's been a marathon from day 1.  Just to hit some high points for ya...

We started the month out right with Herbert completing his first 5K:

The next day, some of the pharmacy friends and I headed to NOLA for ASHP midyear... Now get ready for this: It was my very first trip to New Orleans!  Crazy I know... When you live in Northeast MS, you usually go to Memphis or Birmingham for your "city escape."  I was never fortunate to make it to a frat formal in New Orleans... yep I MARRIED a KA and never made it to Old South (still bitter if you can't tell.)  ANYWAY- I obviously hit up Cafe Du Monde majority of the mornings I was there... I don't care if it's cliche, it was my first time and it was delicious.

I got back in town just in time to celebrate with bride LING during her special day and all the festivities:

It was  just a couple of days later that I found out that my dearest MERRY LEE got a ring and will be getting married in JUNE!

The next day Chad had his knee surgery and we are currently recovering. Luckily the doctor told him he could do his PT on the road so we were off to the mountain for Christmas round 1 and Dad's birthday! It was Herbert's first time and I think he could get used to it up there...

After Chatty we headed to Tupelo... was able to visit with old friends and perhaps the highlight was THIS GIRL getting engaged...  Maybe she'll post about it on her blog soon so you can read the story:)

We then celebrated Christmas #2 with the McElory girls (and Carr, but he and Chad were unfortunate to make the picture :)

Mom has become rather fond of Herbert... he's had a pretty big Christmas himself...

Christmas Day we loaded up again and headed to:

(That's Little Rock of you can't tell.)  We enjoyed more family and yesterday, I left Herbert with complete strangers, we boarded a plane, and I'm currently sitting in my bed in Breckenridge.  Unfortunately Chad can't ski due to his surgery, but he's been a great coach to Mom who hasn't gone down a slope since 1997.

It's extra cold here right now...

Next stop on our little Christmas Trek will be to Jonesboro to celebrate Charmstrong and MC as they tie the knot on NYE!

I thought all this traveling would wear on me a bit, but honestly It has been the best almost 2 weeks I've had in a LONG time.  We are so blessed to have SO MUCH wonderful family and so many great friends.  It's a great time of life.  I couldn't imagine ending this year any other way... 2011, you've been mighty good to me.

time flies

Was it really that long ago?  Tomorrow will be 6 months...

As you can see, Van wanted all to have a good time. 

It was hot... but it was truly the time of our lives.  Thanks to everyone who made our day extra special.  We are SO blessed... I just can't get over it.  

Happy 6 months to us.  

for future reference

Dear Chad,

When/if we have money (or at least some to spare), and when you can send me flowers for no reason and buy me art, I would love some of these Lulie Wallace paintings (see HERE.)

Thanks,
Your Wife.

a magical tradition

What's not to  love about a magical story involving a glamorous Christmas party, toys that come alive, a heroic soldier, a sugar plum fairy and the land of the sweets? Since I was 5 years old, I have been part of the Nutcracker Ballet in my home town... I've played everything from an angel and solider to a snow flake and mechanical doll.  Starting in September, my Sunday afternoons would be spent at the studio rehearsing to the musical stylings of Tchaikovsky and ultimately performing with the live symphony in early December. The music is part of my childhood and whether I hear a snippet on a Hershey's commercial or pandora radio, my heart is happy as I remember one of my favorite Christmas traditions. The Nutcracker has been a part of my Christmas since I can remember and even after graduating high school, I have gone back every year to experience the magic of this Christmas fairy tale.

This year was the first year I was unable to go back home to watch.  Lucky for me, however, I was able to almost make up for it by going to watch the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker with my dearest Em (the most beautiful ballerina I know).  Although I was unable to dance along with the girls in my mind (I think all of us who danced in the NC with Sharon know almost every dance to every role), I was still able to experience one of my favorite traditions.


Oh so dreamy. (no pun intended).

Sweet friends after our very last Nutcracker performance.

In case I don't have your address...

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

And if our God is for us

THEN WHAT COULD EVER STOP US?

I'm sure most of you know this song... I've always liked it, but it has new meaning to me as of late.

I'm going to let down my pride for a minute and tell you a little secret:  I'm not a genius.

Surprised?

Didn't think so.

In complete honesty, I really struggle with test-taking.  Pharmacy school is hard, don't get me wrong, but for me especially, no matter how hard I study, no matter how many hours I put in, I'm just not going to make the top grades.  While high school and undergrad came rather easy for me, something about this program just gets to me.  Most of it stems from the fact that it has taken me a year longer than I planned.  While at first I saw this as a form of defeat, I now realize that it was just a simple glitch in my plan to make the Lord's plan for my life fall into place.  The thing is, though, is that I still let that get to me sometimes...   I don't let it get to me in that I'm still in school (thank goodness I am because I know I'm in the right place), but I let it get to my confidence ... Somewhere deep down I feel like "I can't do it" or "I'm not smart enough" or my personal favorite "I just can't memorize well."

The thing is, I'm actually right.  I can't.  It's a weakness that I'm fully aware of.

But what is the great part of all of this?

IN MY WEAKNESS, HE IS MADE STRONG.

For a while, on my way to an exam (after I had pleaded in prayer),  I would wonder in the back of my mind if God thought I had studied enough... I know that sounds absolutely ridiculous but I did... I put so much of  emphasis on what I had done, and completely negated the fact that it's nothing I can do.  I can work tirelessly day in and day out, but thank goodness it's his FREE GRACE that allows my to get through each exam.  Yes, I do have to prepare, answers don't come out of thin air, but I have finally realized that the Lord isn't concerned about the fact that I may have taken an hour study break instead of 5 minutes.  If he wants to bestow his grace on my incapabilities, he will do it, no matter what I, Hart, do.

So... back to the song.  Sometimes I seriously weep on the way to an exam as I listen to the bridge of that song (perhaps because I'm exhausted), but really:  "AND IF OUR GOD IS FOR US, THEN WHAT COULD EVER STOP US? AND IF OUR GOD IS WITH US, THEN WHAT CAN STAND AGAINST?"  If you believe that our God IS who He says he is, can DO what he says He can do (shout out B. Moore), and that He has the absolute BEST plan for your life, you should believe that statement.  If he is for you and with you, NOTHING, not any exam, not any evaluation, not any person, not any circumstance can ever stop you or stand against you.  It gives me chills. It gives me confidence. It gives me power.

Yesterday evening I found out that I passed Knowledge and Comp Block II.  I did work tirelessly and was antisocial over Thanksgiving, but again, I made exactly what I needed to continue on to the next block. I mean, On. The. Dot.  That has happened twice now and I do not call that coincidence.  My God was FOR me and WITH me on Monday morning and I cannot describe how real his presence feels in my life.

Last night, I went to a Kari Jobe  Christmas concert with my sweet friend Brett and her family. It was on the way that I checked my grade... After a couple of Christmas songs, Kari said "Let's worship" and started singing Our God is Greater, THE song... the one I listen to as I drive to that Jackson Medical Mall to take an exam... Through tears of gratitude it reminded me of my insufficiency and incapabilities as a human, oh but how big, powerful, SUFFICIENT, and CAPABLE my God is.

Although this year is basically awful, I am so grateful for the opportunity it has granted me to rely so heavily on my Savior.

No matter how independent you desire to be (that's so me), remember tis so sweet to trust in Jesus! 

1. 1. 
      
   2. ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
      Just to take Him at His Word;
      Just to rest upon His promise,
      And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
      • Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
        How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
        Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
        Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
   3. Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
      Just to trust His cleansing blood;
      And in simple faith to plunge me
      ’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
   4. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
      Just from sin and self to cease;
      Just from Jesus simply taking
      Life and rest, and joy and peace.
   5. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
      Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
      And I know that Thou art with me,
      Wilt be with me to the end.

We used to sing this at my church growing up all the time... but aren't those such sweet words?

WOO HOO!

FREEDOM!  This girl just finished her LAST final (all 8 hours of it)... That is, until January.  But I'll take it.  I'll take it and RUN.

After  being anti-social during our Thanksgiving marathon, I am happy to say that it may have been worth it.  Now I can really enjoy our Christmas ultra-marathon (if you can imagine, we do Christmas in Chattanooga, Tupelo AND Little Rock which are all pretty far apart).  To top that off, we will be spending the week after Christmas in [insert unknown destination in Colorado] for a ski trip.  The only bad news is that Chad tore is meniscus last week... playing basketball off all things.... so it looks like we may be doing more snow-mobile-ing that anything else.  

Tonight Herbert and I watched Marley and Me. Mistake. So now that I've had a good, LONG cry, I'll probably sleep extra hard and hopefully through the barking that will begin at approximately 6:00 am on my first official day "off." That's sooner than I realize....

dreamy.

It's that time :)

the station

"If I can just get through this exam."

"If I can just get to Jackson."

"If I can just get engaged..."

"If I can just get to the wedding..."

"If I can just get moved in our apartment..."

"If I can just get through this block..."

"If I can just get to Christmas break..."

"If Chad can just get home.."

There's a bit of a trend in my life.  Along with planning, I'm a "station" girl.  I have these stations that I just can't wait to get to. I spend so much of my life waiting to get to xyz and often miss out on the great place that I am.  I look back on last year... I was SO focused on "getting to the wedding" and "getting to Jackson" that I didn't stop to enjoy the fact that I was getting to live in Oxford for another year and even more so, at the GO with two of the most amazing girls I know.  Well here I find myself at it again... the past few weeks I've been so focused on "getting to Christmas break".... the time when I'm going to be "super wife," buy Christmas gifts and decorate all day and cook elaborate dinners at night.  Well, what happens when you find out your husband will be traveling during most of your Holiday break?  Your station immediately disappears and you look for a new station.... a new "something to get you through" to the next week.Where's the excitement, the "glory days" that were in my mind when this place, where I am now, was once my station? It goes to show me this: Contentment is being happy where I am, now.  It also goes to show me that there's never going to be the ultimate place where I'm finally there while I'm on this earth. Thank goodness there's a heaven (for there I'll obviously be content).  Well, now I'm here. I'm studying all night, coffee at arm's reach (actually tea), Herbert at my feet, and The Holiday film score playing in the background.  It might not be the most ideal place in the world, but it's not that bad, eh?  I can deal.  In a perfect world, Chad would be playing FIFA in the next room, but he's out working hard to provide for me. Shouldn't I be grateful?  In 10 years I'd probably do anything to have this much peace and quiet, so instead of making that a station of my future, I'll go ahead and enjoy it, right now. 

Be where you are. Enjoy where you are. 

But most importantly, let us be grateful that we have a true longing for somewhere else... our ultimate station.  Let us constantly look forward to that destination, but not neglect our journey getting there. 

"For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland... But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one." -Hebrews 11:14,16

So that explains it. 

Shut up and get up.

That's my new motto... Thanks, Dad.  I've always been a snoozer.  And no, I don't limit hitting the snooze button to just 2 or 3 times... I think my all time record is 8.  Yes 8 times.  I've always wanted to be a morning person... I envy those who wake up with the sun and make use of those super productive morning hours... whether its getting some work done ahead of time or just enjoying a cup of hot tea and my Bible... I'm trying to muster up the will power to put both feet on the ground the first time.  Dad told me that instead of laying in bed moaning in the morning, that I should simply sit up, shut up, and get up.  So that's what I do.

If you don't follow me on twitter or instagram and haven't seen the obnoxious number of puppy pics, you might not know about my new precious little boy...

This is HERBERT.  Funny name, I know.  Chad and I used to joke about funny human dog names (such as Herbert) and ever since, we've always talked about wanting a "HERBERSES"... so after he volunteered to drive 8.5 hours (one way) to Kentucky to get this little angel, I decided Chad should have the privilege of making the final decision... and well.. we couldn't help but name him the forever referenced "Herbert."

I will have to say that my little Herb has been a contributing factor to my "Shut up and get up" campaign... we are early to bed and EARLY to rise... but it's so worth it.

We had a fun trip going to get him... we were able to pit stop and stay with LEAH in Nashville! Herbert loved the leaves!

... and LEAH!

This past weekend, we went to LR... Herbert experienced the wrath of DAZY. Nah, Dazy's cute but she's the most aggressive, sassy, and territorial little 6 pound creature that exists.  Herbert is three times her size but she was a real bully... ever since we got home, this has been his position:

Pup is WORN. OUT.

But I'm sure we'll be back to this real soon..

Either way, he's my new pride and joy.  He's also made me very popular with the neighbors... especially the kids.  We have a good time and love visitors!  Come see us!

called out of comfort.

Well it's an interesting time for me to post... Its 11:30, I'm not half-way done with my treatment plan, and I'm pretty sleepy.  Nevertheless, I felt like posting something I've been wrestling with...

For those of you who don't know, I'm a planner. No, not necessarily a weekend or day planner (although I DO love lists), but more of a life planner.  I'm currently a 3rd year pharmacy student, yet I actually applied to pharmacy school almost 6 years ago as a senior in high school.  I've planned everything I wanted to do since I was little... and for the most part, I've carried through with a good bit.  I'm currently really struggling with my "plan" for the next 5 years... do I want to go straight to work?  Do I want to do a residency, and if so, where? Do I want to be a stay-at-home mom (no, I'm not pregnant), the list goes on.  Even more so, where am I going to be doing whatever I'm doing?  Well, I could go wherever there's a KPMG office for Chad... or he could work for his Dad in LR... or we could just be spontaneous and move to JH....you get the point. I've even started thinking about my children's college funds (again, I'm not even pregnant).

So, why why why am I SO concerned with making all of these crazy life plans?  I think it's because its comfortable for me.  It's actually rather humorous that I think my plans are comforting... because "if all had gone according to plan," I'd be on PY4 rotations, living with someone other than Chad Berry.  If the Lord had not allowed certain circumstances to occur to me my Junior year of college, and if the Lord had not led me to making a BIG decision that was not part of MY plan, I would have completely missed out on marrying my husband. WOW. So again, Hart, WHY are you so comforted by your OWN plan?

I've never really realized how hard I cling to my comfort zone until lately. I'm on my own. I don't have this miraculous "allowance" that appears in my bank account every month, I'm in a new city (that is sometimes scary), I sometimes have to stay by myself when my husband travels (that's a BIG one for me), I do not and will not always know the answers no matter how hard I study, and I have learned that life actually exists beyond a 100 mile radius of where I am.. but even more, I've learned that the Lord has called me HERE, right where I am, perhaps uncomfortable, for such a time as this.

I was reading Esther this morning... such a great story.  I truly cannot imagine how uncomfortable she felt so many times... getting "beauty treatments" for 12 months to be judged by a King, hiding her nationality and her true identity, putting her entire comfortable, royal, pampered life (and literally her LIFE) on the line to rescue her people... I'm sure when she got selected as Queen (and became prettttty comfortable) she didn't have "risking my life for saving all the Jew's" on her royal "to-do" list... It was not in her plan... but the Lord called her to that place, for such a time as this... so that she could step out of her comfort zone and stand up and save an entire race!

 I believe the Lord is constantly calling us out of comfort...  I know he constantly keeps me in a place where I absolutely have to be dependent on him.  Whether its making a 70.0 or always providing just enough financially, he keeps me at a place where I am reminded that I am part of HIS plan... not that I'm part of my own...nor can I do anyone's plan on my own. Hopefully I can fully comprehend that the best place to be is somewhere I'm not comfortable... for at that place, I am completely reliant on Him. Now that's a true challenge to the American Dream if I've ever heard it.  My prayer, although very hard to pray at times, is to not desire my "dream life".  While a beautiful house with 4 kids, an extensive McCarty collection and vintage furniture sounds super dreamy, why would I ever settle for anything less that what the Lord has to offer me?  If that's 4 beautiful Berry children in Suburbia, USA, that's great and I will glorify Him there.  If that's in another country with 40 orphan children, working in the farmacia esperanza, I'll be exactly where I'm supposed to be.  I don't have to sit here and try to figure it out any longer. I. CAN. REST.

Quit wrestling with your plan, Hart, and rest in me and my plan.

I imagine a lot of us are at this point in life... making big decisions... looking for jobs, choosing life partners (or waiting to find one), applying for internships, etc.... but know this, there is a plan. Rest in that. Quit exhausting yourself.

I'm so tired, aren't you?

Ah... that's better.